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Design and technology at Vinehall is a practical subject that involves designing and making things that work. A wide range of materials and equipment are encountered and projects have a balance of individual and group work. In the double lesson each week projects involving card, wood, plastics and metals are carried out in a structured and progressive manner.
From geared whisks and hand looms in Year 4 to enamelled metalwork and vacuum forming in Year 7, children are encouraged to be creative and safe while developing the skills that will form a sound foundation for the subject at their next school.
In Year 8 a major project is worked on involving pneumatics as well as all the areas covered previously. Inspiration is provided by sources as diverse as Heath Robinson and Nick Park of Wallace and Gromit.
Designs can be modelled on computers in our own dedicated classroom and children are introduced to Computer Aided Drawing, the use of a CNC milling machine and computer control.
Junior and Senior Technology clubs allow further development for enthusiasts and also allow more closely supervised sessions for the processes such as wood and metal turning
Major projects are undertaken from time to time, often involving boats. A canoe was built and paddled down the Rother, a 4 metre cardboard sailing boat was sailed on Ashburnham Lake and a rowing skiff produced in card.
Those with special aptitude are prepared for scholarships at schools such as Haileybury and Benenden.
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