We are one of a small handful of schools which offer our students the ability to study Engineering as a GCSE qualification. The subject has gained in popularity over the last couple of years, and we now have 88 students currently on the course in Years 9-11. It can provide a real challenge for our most able students through their practical use of scientific and mathematical principles and stretches all our students’ practical skills. Students are lucky enough to have access to a wide range of modern engineering manufacturing methods as our department has a laser cutter, an automated 3D milling machine, 2 different types of 3D printer and an injection moulding machine.
Our GCSE Results 2023
- 81.8% of students achieved a Grade 4 or above.
- 100% of students achieved a pass.
Engineering in Years 7 & 8
During Years 7 and 8, Engineering is not taught explicitly on its own as there is an overlap of skills, knowledge and understanding which it shares with Design and Technology. Therefore, key elements of Engineering are delivered through our Design and Technology curriculum.
The Design and Technology curriculum during Years 7 and 8 delivers the knowledge and skills relating to Engineering through both engaging and challenging project work, often embedding these skills into real life scenarios. Students become adept at using both 2D and 3D computer aided design (CAD) software and use this software to create products on our laser cutter and 3D printer. They experience working with a range of different materials and a range of engineering processes which are used to shape and manipulate these materials. There are also opportunities to work with electronic components, building simple circuits. Students are exposed to scientific and mathematical concepts, for example, mechanisms and forces, and calculating areas/volumes.
At the end of Year 8, our knowledge-rich curriculum provides our students with a wide range of skills and knowledge applicable to the study of Engineering if they wish to study it explicitly at GCSE.
Engineering in Year 9
During Year 9 students complete short projects, each one focused on a particular area of Engineering. Their first project involves the use of 2D CAD (Computer Aided Design) to create a slot together model, which is cut out using our laser cutter. Students learn about the importance of modelling and drawing accurately in 2D CAD. The second project expands their CAD skills into 3D CAD. We use SolidWorks (an industry standard software) to create new designs for LEGO pieces. Students need to be able to use accurate measurements and learn how CAD models can be sent to a 3D printer to enable us to create high quality prototypes. As these are made using plastic, the students also look at other plastics manufacturing processes and types of plastics.
After students are confident with their use of our 3D CAD software, we move into our third project, which we call ‘Metanimal’. Students use aluminium sheet to create a folded metal animal, this project is made entirely using hand skills and students learn all about the various metal manufacturing processes and metals used in engineering. Their 3D CAD skills are also stretched when they learn how to simulate folding metal in the software.
The year ends with an exciting project called Scalextric4Schools. Students design and manufacture a Scalextric car using a range of modern manufacturing methods. They 3D print the car chassis and CNC mill a mould, so they can vacuum form a body shell. We also look at aerodynamics and wind tunnel simulations within our CAD software. We then enter our best cars into a national competition against schools from around the country, with this year’s event being held at Silverstone Race Circuit, home of British motorsports.
Engineering in Year 10
In Year 10 students move their attention to the two biggest areas of study within the course, which are mechanical engineering and electrical engineering. The first project looks at gears and gearing. Students use mathematical calculations to create a LEGO vehicle which must travel 1 metre in 1 minute. After working out a theoretical gearbox design, they then go on to build it.
Students then look at programmable electronics, where we use circuit simulation software to design and test circuits which can be computer controlled. Students write programs which are downloaded to specialist circuits and can control a range of input and output components such as switches, motors, LEDs etc.
We also have an exciting opportunity this year for a small handful of students to participate in the QinetQ Schools Powerboat Challenge. Students must build a remote-controlled boat and then attend an event where they race against other schools and present their boat to a team of judges. They are then judged on their engineering ability and creativity of boat design. We have run this project for the last two years with some good success and look forward to seeing what we can achieve this year.
The remainder of the year focusses on skills needed for their coursework (NEA) in Year 11. Students will use a range of engineering machinery and equipment to model an idea for a small, engineered product.
Engineering in Year 11
In Year 11, students will undertake their Non-Exam Assessment (NEA), a single ‘design and manufacture’ activity, which will arise from investigating a brief set by the exam board (AQA). AQA release a new brief every year and the students are expected to apply their knowledge of engineering.
They will investigate a problem, use mathematical and scientific principles to create a range of designs, manufacture a prototype and then evaluate their chosen solution.
What is next?
We would like to start focusing on our future engineers. We want to know what attracts our students to take engineering and what might put them off, especially our girls. Although we have started to see a rise in girls opting for the subject, they are still only a small percentage of our cohorts. This is a challenge nationally and as a school we want to do all we can to see what we can do to attract more girls to study the GCSE as they are usually very successful.
We are actively looking for more opportunities to engage with industry and provide our students with real life engineering opportunities to engage with practising engineers. We are also looking for potential sponsorship to help purchase additional items for our teams entering the Scalextric4Schools and QinetiQ Schools Powerboat challenges. For these competitions, students are expected to seek sponsorship and work with sponsors during their project, we can display the sponsors' names on our cars and boats and include them on our displays. We can also use our social media platforms to share what we do etc. If you can help us with this or know of anyone who might be able to help, please contact morgan.lane@staff.beaufort.hants.sch.uk
Also, feel free to follow us on X (formally Twitter) (@BeaufortDt) and Instagram (@BeaufortDt) where we share students' work and the progress on various projects throughout the year, you may even spot your child’s work.
Year 10s focus of the day was learning all about First Aid. Students learnt about bleeding, burns, broken bones, shock, choking and asthma. They then were able to practice putting people in the recovery position and CPR. It was a really valuable day, allowing Year 10s to have good, basic knowledge of first aid.
