HECC

Department Vision

We will be a department that provides a safe, exciting and productive learning environment whatever the starting point of students. Provision of progressive learning experiences, encompassing traditional and modern techniques, will lead to capabilities that serve students in future life within and beyond education.

KS3: Group and class work in design and make in resistive and compliant materials, food and hygiene.

KS4: Courses from GCSE: Food and Nutrition, Child Development and Resistant Materials. BTEC in Construction has this year progressed from Level 1 to Level 2 at Introductory Level. From September 2008 Construction will follow the BTEC Diploma course as already taken in Engineering, the equivalent of four GCSEs.

Extension

Extension work for Engineers includes continued involvement with 'The Eco Challenge', an annual international competition for students to design and make a car that can travel a course of 7 laps, equating to 10 miles, determining which can go the furthest using the least fuel. Successive years have seen improvements in our performance; last year we came 33rd out of 77 competitors, our car travelling 610 mpg. We are looking to continue that success.

We have excellent CAD/CAM facilities, to the point where other schools at times ask to use them to develop their students' work.

Primary links with feeder schools give taster days for year 5. CAD/CAM skills are developed across the area by providing training and resources for Primary teachers, this year provided by ‘Techlink’ in association with Medlock Trust and Denford. Another primary link allows a teacher to use the Food Technology rooms for Lads 'n' Dads after school and primary classes to work here during school time.

Students are encouraged to return for 'Engineering' club at KS3 and to keep up to date with KS4 coursework by attending after college classes.

Enrichment days provide a range of experiences across and beyond the curriculum as offered in formal lessons. Individual, group and whole class activities allow for a broadening of experience and skills.

Rewards for exceptional effort or achievement follow the College system and can include Go-Kart driving.