Resistant Materials

Resistant Materials provides opportunities for students to solve all sorts of problems in a practical way, by designing and making things. The subject encompasses all of the Enterprise Skills we feel that our young people need to succeed in this modern world.  The following skills are an integral component to the design and make process:

  • Teamwork
  • Problem Solving
  • Decision Making
  • Initiative
  • Communication
  • Self Confidence and Organisation

Key Stage 3

In Year 7 - Students learn skills in woodworking, using basic tools and equipment. They produce either a Jewellery box, Ghost train or Automaton.

In Year 8 - Student make a Souvenir Keyring for an imaginary them park that they devise themselves. They also produce a brochure using graphical and ICT Skills to promote their theme park. The Keyring is made from Acrylic and Students learn about the many types of plastic available.

At the end of Year 8 they can choose to take Resistant Materials as a GCSE Option which they will then begin in Year 9.

Key Stage 4

In Year 9 - Students complete 3 projects to enhance and extend previously learned skills. A clock or picture frame is made using specialist tools and skills. The students then make a former for a jelly mould and use a vacuum former to produce the mould. Finally they produce either a wind-chime or oil-burner which introduces working with metal. This serves as a foundation for year 10.

In Year 10 - Student complete two minor projects in preparation for their controlled assessment in Year 11. The first is a footstool which introduces the students to more complex skills and equipment. The toy Truck project further enhances these skills by introducing more techniques with familiar tools and equipment. They are also taught wood turning and produce artifacts such as bowls, pens and candle holders.

In Year 11 - Students undertake their Controlled Assessment for which they produce a design portfolio and a practical outcome based on design tasks given by the AQA exam board. Past years have seen pupils working with 'Zoes Place' and Westgarth Primary School to produce garden furniture and outdoor toys.