Technology Keystage 4

GCSE Systems and Control; Electronics
This course goes well with GCSE Engineering as a double option and is a must along with Maths or Physics for those students who wish to go into the area of Engineering. The GCSE course through the OCR board has 60% of the marks awarded through the Major Project. The project brief is to design and make a Flashing Light unit for young people to use whilst relaxing and playing music.

GCSE Graphic Products
This course is a must if you want to enter the field of product design or design in general. Students learn about graphic techniques and formal drawing techniques along with CAD (Computer Aided Design) software to generate and model design work.

Students also work through industrial graphic applications such as offset lithography to gain a deeper understanding of the world of graphic design. Students also model their design work and study the properties of materials to gain a three-dimensional and vocational understanding of graphics. Past projects have included packaging design for a range of perfumes.

GCSE Industrial Technology (Engineering)
This course goes well with GCSE Systems and Control Electronics as a double option and is a must along with Maths or Physics for those students who wish to go into the area of Engineering. The course contains a high practical element and students learn how to use lathes, milling machines, the aluminium casting bay, pillar drills, the brazing hearth, powder coating along with hand tools used in engineering. Theory covers areas such as the properties of materials, deformation of materials, structures, technical drawing, graphic techniques etc. The project brief is to design and make an Embossing Tool for business cards (click here for examples).

GCSE Resistant Materials
This course is for those who enjoy designing and making and want to gain a greater understanding of tools, materials and processes. Students learn about tools and materials, mechanisms, structures, graphic techniques, fixtures and fittings through design and make assignments.

GCSE Systems and Control; Robotic Mechanisms
This course is a must for those students who wish to learn more about the field of Robotics/ Mechanical Engineering. Students currently taking the course start their major project in year 10 and then continue with it until April in Year 11. The project brief is to design and make swimming robot for entry into the BBC’s annual Technogames competition which is shown on BBC2 in March. Students have to design a way of turning rotary motion from an electric motor into some form of animal/human-like swimming motion. Their prototype is then modelled using CAD (Computer Aided Design) software, and manufactured using CAM (Computer Aided Manufacture) machines which use the latest Laser Technology. The best prototypes are then engineered and entered into the competition and shown on national TV!

NVQ Building Technology
This course at Barking Abbey is a double option of an NVQ in Building Technology and a GCSE in Resistant Materials. Four periods each week are devoted to this course, the GCSE is completed at Barking Abbey and the NVQ at Barking College. The NVQ is a modular course and students gain practical experience and theoretical knowledge in all of the following areas; Brickwork, Plumbing, Plastering, Carpentry and Painting and Decorating. A place on this course at Barking Abbey is by invitation only.