Design & Technology Scholarships 2024

Design & Technology Scholarships

Design & Technology Scholarships

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 has 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.

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.

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. All will become more critical consumers and much more aware of their impact on society and the environment.

Brendan Anglim Head of Design & Technology

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 our own.

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.

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 soughtafter 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 while at university and a permanent role after graduating.

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.

“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 Carter (J12)

Scholarship Programme

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:

• 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 for 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 and Technology scholarship will demonstrate:

• creativity and the ability to communicate that 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 that highlights their creativity and technical understanding. This should focus on quality (with around 5 items) 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 in test.

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.

“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.”

Expectations of our Scholars

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 activities. Scholarships are reviewed annually and may be removed if a scholar does not participate fully in the programme or meet expectations.

• Year 12 and Year 13 Design & Technology 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 a role model in their work.

• Year 9 and Year 10 Design & Technology Scholars are expected to take part in one of the regular D&T activities inculding Vehicle Restoration, Rocket Club, Eco Engineering, Jewellery Club and CAD Club.

• 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.

Design & Technology Scholar Alumni

Lydia Hopkins – Product Design, Brighton University. A level project: sensory development board for cerebral palsy children.

Oscar Anglim – Arkwright Scholar/Army Engineering Bursary/Engineering, Sheffield University.

Current final year engineering project: self-deploying winged drone for Mars surveillance. Giles Murphy – Engineering, Oxford University.

EPQ analysing factors affecting the design and development of the sub-machine gun. Jack McKenna – Arkwright Scholar/Engineering, Sheffield University.

A level project: portable, solar powered food cooling device for refugee camps in Bangladesh.

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.

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 766000

Felicity Cunningham (A11)