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Engineering & technology

Paulines should to be confident users and discriminating consumers of technologies, able to appreciate the pivotal role of technological development and design in a modern society. The central experience we offer is designing and making practical solutions to real problems, with ample scope for innovation and creativity.

GCSE

We currently offer three specifications at GCSE: Resistant Materials Technology, Systems and Control Technology and Electronics. These all have a substantial design-and-make project as the controlled assessment element.

Students make a guided choice of specification, following an introductory course which gives them some experience of the skills underpinning these technologies.

AS and A level

We offer the Edexcel Extended Project (EP) at Level 3, during the Lower Eighth. The Artefact unit allows considerable freedom in choice of topic, the only requirement being a 3D outcome. There is no theory paper. The EP assesses a student’s ability to work independently, design, make and evaluate rigorously and then present the important features of their project to an audience.

This course has attracted intending engineers, architects, computer scientists and those wishing to read a variety of technological or scientific subjects. Experience of Technology at GCSE is usual but not essential.

After St Paul’s

For some, studying Engineering and Technology has vocational significance while for others it is a natural, complementary subject for sciences and maths — or a contrast to the arts and humanities. The skills acquired in carrying out an extended technological project at the equivalent of A level are an excellent preparation for the demands of managing time and deadlines in life after school.

Notable Old Paulines working in the worlds of design and technology include Sir Kenneth Adam, production designer on some 70 films (there’s more about Sir Kenneth on the Art department page) and Tim Hunkin, fireworks entrepreneur, cartoonist, safebreaker, engineer and documentary maker.