Design & ScholarshipsTechnology
The subject has retained the central importance of the project, an exciting and challenging journey of designing and making. Through these projects we nurture creativity, develop independent problem-solving skills and reward both perseverance and resilience through the iterative designing process. Our task is largely to work alongside the students, drawing out their abilities and interests in making their own, unique contributions.
Design ScholarshipsTechnology&
Design and Technology is a unique subject, born in the 20th Century of a need to train people in practical skills but evolving more recently into an interdisciplinary approach to solve 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 want to understand how making and using products have an impact on people, business, society and the environment. Much of this understanding is developed through practical experience, disassembly of everyday items and handling inspiring products.
All will become more critical consumers and much more aware of their impact on society and the environment.
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Brendan Anglim Head of Design & Technology
Creating new futures is central to the subject; 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.
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The Design & Technology department at Ampleforth comprises three 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 and 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 Techsoft 2D Design CAD software.
Reuben Carter (J12)
“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.”
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 our own.
The language of design is visual. We develop the graphicacy of students, teaching drawing and computer aided design techniques as well as 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 and Year 11 students considering technical design are invited to apply for an esteemed Arkwright Scholarship. A high proportion of our A Level students progress on to technical design related degrees from architecture to aeronautical engineering. Year 13 students who plan to study engineering at university can apply for the annual JCB Engineering Scholarship which offers Ampleforth students sponsorship and paid summer placements whilst at university and a permanent role after graduating.
Design & Technology at Ampleforth
The department provides a range of co-curricular activities for all students including a First Lego League robotics team, Jewellery making, a Land Rover restoration club, and making a plastics shredding machine for recycling.
Could you become a Design & Technology Scholar?
• Support for applications for acclaimed Arkwright Scholarships which provide additional funding for their Sixth Form studies and information about other training opportunities
• Personal Scholarship Mentor to monitor and support progress
13+ Basil Hume Scholarship
• Curriculum projects incur a cost, the first £50 of D&T Scholars’ projects are paid for by the department each year
• 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 in January and involve an interview to understand candidates’ interests and aspirations as well as a design challenge. Candidates should prepare a small portfolio of work that highlights their creativity and technical understanding. This should focus on quality rather than quantity (between 5 and 10 items) and can include sketches of designs, computer aided design models or photos of products they have made. The design challenge provides an opportunity to demonstrate sketching skills and creativity. Candidates are given an unusual design problem and have 15 minutes to sketch a few possible solutions. They are then asked to identify the most suitable solutions before being given 10 more minutes to sketch and record technical details of their chosen design before a final discussion to evaluate it and their designing.
• Advice, training opportunities, and contacts in engineering and product design are offered
Every year we run a series of events for families to learn more about scholarships as well as taster days for students. Please contact Admissions to find out more: admissions@ampleforth.org.uk.
• External trips and inspiring talks from outside speakers
We provide a bespoke Scholarship programme where individual support, stretch, and mentoring enables each student to develop to the best of their ability. This includes:
• creativity and the ability to communicate that thinking through sketching • enthusiasm for and understanding of the technical details of man-made objects
The ideal candidate for a Design and Technology scholarship will demonstrate:
Candidates follow a similar pattern of assessment as for 13+ but the process will be completed in test conditions in November.
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• Priority access to the Sunley Centre facilities during activity times and private study periods
• Access to support, advice and careers guidance from a network of Ampleforth alumni and other contacts in engineering and product design staff in the relevant field
• Support and help with preparation for applications for the next developmental stage of Scholarships and/or for competitive higher education institutions
ProgrammeScholarship
16+ Senior Scholarship
All Design & Technology Scholars are expected to maintain strong grades in the subject and show exemplary attitude to learning. Design & Technology scholars should maintain a portfolio of all their achievements and progress, including in any relevant co-curricular Yearactivities.12and
“The Design & Technology department have really helped to support me and have created lots of opportunities, through competitions and projects, which allow me to be creative.”
Oscar Anglim – Arkwright Scholar/Army Engineering Bursary/Engineering, Sheffield University.
Design & Technology Scholars are expected to take part in one of the regular co-curricular activities and will be invited to represent the school in the annual Rotary Club Technology Tournament. The activities vary each year but often include Land Rover Restoration, Eco-Engineering, Open Workshop, and Jewellery Club.
Expectations of our Scholars
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A level project: portable, solar powered food cooling device for refugee camps in Bangladesh.
Bursaries
For further information about Design & Technology Scholarships, please contact Brendan Anglim, Head of Design & Technology: bja@ampleforth.org.uk For general information about scholarships or the assessment process, please contact the Admissions Office: admissions@ampleforth.org.uk or 01439 766819 Felicity Cunningham (A11)
Those in need of financial support, are encouraged to apply for means-tested bursaries. The award of a scholarship is a very strong indication of a student who is likely to flourish at Ampleforth and can be extremely helpful in supporting a bursary application.
A level project: sensory development board for cerebral palsy children.
EPQ analysing factors affecting the design and development of the sub-machine gun.
Design & Technology Scholar Alumni Lydia Hopkins – Product Design, Brighton University.
Giles Murphy – Engineering, Oxford University.
Year 9 and Year 10
Current final year engineering project: self-deploying winged drone for Mars surveillance.
Year 13 Design & Technology Scholars are expected to contribute to the development of younger students. They are encouraged to take a leadership role in cocurricular activities and are invited to assist in outreach events for other schools. Along with Year 11, they act as role models for younger students.
Jack McKenna – Arkwright Scholar/Engineering, Sheffield University.
See our website for full details of upcoming Scholarship Assessment Days and closing dates for www.ampleforthcollege.org.ukapplications:
Ampleforth College, York, YO62 4ER 01439 766819 admissions@ampleforth.org.uk www.ampleforthcollege.org.uk Co-educational Catholic boarding and day school for Years 7 to 13 An Ampleforth education is a compass for life
