DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY SCHOLARSHIPS
The Sunley Centre is filled with machines and equipment which are readily accessible; I have learnt a broad range of skills that help me design and build projects. Reuben - D&T Scholar
SKILLS for Life
Design & Technology Scholarships Design & Technology is unique as an academic subject. It was born out of a need to train people in practical skills in the 20th Century and evolved more recently into an interdisciplinary approach to solving real world problems. We draw on the aesthetic principles and communication techniques of the arts, use scientific principles to understand how materials perform, employ maths to develop accurate designs, and seek to understand how making and using products impacts people, business, society and the environment. Much of this understanding is developed through practical experience, disassembly of everyday items and handling inspiring products. The subject has retained the central importance of the project, an exciting and challenging journey of design and making. Through these projects we nurture creativity, develop independent problem-solving skills and reward both perseverance and resilience through the iterative design process. The teachers’ task is largely to work alongside the students, drawing out their abilities and interests through making their own, unique contributions. Creating new futures is central to the Department. We hope that some students will become agents for change in engineering, architecture and other technical and creative vocations where their work improves the lives of others. All will become more critical consumers and much more aware of their impact on society and the environment.
Design & Technology at Ampleforth The Design & Technology department aims to empower students to ‘design for good’. We develop students’ awareness of the social and environmental impacts of design and technological activities from a Benedictine perspective. When investigating real-world, open-ended problems we are attentive to real needs, rather than wants, and others’ needs, rather than simply our own. The department comprises two teachers and three technicians, all passionate about design and trained in disciplines spanning the full breadth of the design spectrum, from jewellery and 3D design to product design to mechanical and manufacturing engineering. The department teaches Years 7 to 13 in sets no larger than 16 students and often smaller. The subject is optional after Year 9 and students follow an OCR GCSE and an AQA A Level course. The department is housed in the Sunley Centre; purpose-built for both Design & Technology and Art. This includes a design studio, a technology room for electronics and robotics (Lego Mindstorms) and a third classroom. Two of these rooms have class PCs where students use Autodesk Fusion 360 and CAD software. The language of design is visual. We develop the graphicacy of students by teaching drawing and computer-aided design techniques, and impart an appreciation of the aesthetics of man-made objects. We also coach the other highly sought after design skills of analysis, creativity, project management, planning and problem solving. We relate all projects to the real world and students enjoy a number of trips to study the work of iconic and contemporary designers, engineering firms, and university design departments.
Students contemplating technical careers are encouraged to attend Smallpeice Trust courses as they help with decisions about the various fields. A high proportion of our A Level students progress on to technical design-related degrees from architecture, aeronautical engineering to product design. Year 11 students considering technical design are invited to apply for an esteemed Arkwright Scholarship and our own JCB Engineering Scholarship. This offers Ampleforth Sixth Form students mentoring support and summer internships, potentially leading to undergraduate schemes, paid placements and even a permanent role after graduating. The department provides a range of co-curricular activities for all students. These change from year to year but have included a Rocket Club, Jewellery Making, Fix it Club, a Lego Robotics team, Architecture Society and the Design for Good Group which make objects to raise funds for charity.
Scholarship Programme We provide a bespoke Scholarship programme where individual support, stretch, and mentoring enable each student to develop to the best of their ability. This includes: + Personal Scholarship Mentor to monitor and support progress appropriate to age, set objectives, and report termly + Scholars keep a log of their progress and achievements + Advice on building a portfolio through courses and placements outside school + Support with applications for acclaimed Arkwright Scholarships (Year 11), which provide additional funding for Sixth Form studies and information about other training opportunities + Invitations to masterclasses, workshops and visits related to design and engineering + Priority access to the Sunley Centre facilities during activity times and private study periods + Curriculum projects incur a cost; the first £50 of D&T Scholars’ projects are paid for by the department each year
Could you become a Design & Technology Scholar? 13+ Basil Hume Scholarship The ideal candidate for a Design & Technology scholarship will demonstrate: + creativity and the ability to communicate their thinking through sketching + enthusiasm for and understanding of the technical details of man-made objects + initiative and problem-solving skills in projects that are not part of the standard curriculum Assessment will take place over the course of a day at Ampleforth and involve an interview to understand candidates’ interests and aspirations as well as a design challenge. Candidates should prepare a small portfolio of work (around 5 items) that highlights their creativity and technical understanding. This should focus on quality and can include sketches of designs, computer-aided design models, or photos of products they have made. They should also be prepared to talk about an inspirational design or designer. The design challenge provides an opportunity to demonstrate sketching skills, creativity and technical knowledge. Candidates are given an unusual design problem and will need to sketch, model and evaluate a solution in a short period of time.
16+ Senior Scholarship Senior scholars follow a similar pattern of assessment to the Basil Hume Scholarship, but the design challenge will be completed under test conditions.
Expectations of our Scholars All Design & Technology Scholars are expected to maintain strong grades in the subject and show an exemplary attitude to learning. They should maintain a portfolio of all their achievements and progress, including any relevant co-curricular activities. Scholarships are reviewed annually and may be withdrawn if a scholar does not participate fully in the programme or meet expectations. + Year 12 and 13 Scholars are expected to contribute to the development of younger students. They are encouraged to take a leadership role in D&T activities and are invited to assist in outreach events for other schools. Along with Year 11, they act as role models for younger students + Year 11 scholars are expected to attend the weekly support sessions and act as role models in their work + Year 9 and 10 Scholars are expected to take part in one of the regular D&T activities including Rocket Club, Jewellery Club, Fix it Club and Architecture Society + Scholars are likely to be asked to represent the school in external competitions, such as the annual Rotary Club Technology Tournament and the Global Undersea STEM Competition.
SKILLS for Life Design & Technology Scholar Alumni In the last few years D&T scholars have gone on to study: + Product Design at Edinburgh, Northumbria and Brighton Universities + Engineering at Oxford and Sheffield Universities + Furniture Design at Kingston University Many D&T Scholars have also been supported and been successful with their applications for Arkwright Sixth Form Scholarships, JCB Undergraduate Scholarships and Army Technical Bursaries.
Bursaries Those in need of financial support are encouraged to apply for means-tested bursaries. The award of a scholarship is a very strong indicator of a student who is likely to flourish at Ampleforth, and it can be extremely helpful in supporting a bursary application.
Every year we run a series of events for families to learn more about scholarships and development awards as well as taster days for students. See our website for full details of upcoming Scholarship Assessment Days and closing dates for applications: ampleforthcollege.org.uk Ampleforth College, York, YO62 4ER 01439 766000 admissions@ampleforth.org.uk