Design & Technology

Design and Technology courses at Queen Elizabeth's School are based on the ethos of giving pupils hands-on experience with a variety of tools, processing materials and equipment, and of then allowing pupils to utilise their skills to solve design problems.

This approach applies right from the beginning: as early as Year 7, boys learn about the use of electronics, CAD software and plastics forming. They are given an introduction to woods, joints, saws and finishing and to drawing.

Within the Design and Technology Department, our teaching focuses on practical tasks and excellence of presentation. Assignments offer boys the challenge of both designing and making products, thus fulfilling our aim of always providing hands-on practical experience. Group discussions and analysis are also a valued element in teaching and learning at QE.

The School has a popular lunchtime Design Club. We also offer additional support to GCSE, AS and A2 Design and Technology students through clinics held throughout the year both at lunchtimes and after school.

We aim to offer our pupils as many opportunities as possible to broaden their horizons in Design and Technology. In the Sixth Form, students take part in the Engineering Education Scheme, which involves a team working with a company on a real-world brief. They begin by producing concepts and then develop these and present them to the company board.

QE boys enter the Starpak student packaging awards and the Rotary Young Innovators competition.

The School is also part of the Arkwright Scholarships scheme, which aims to encourage high-ability 15 and 16-year-old students to take up engineering or technological careers by awarding scholarships during their A Level studies.

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