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Design and Technology

Design and Technology (D&T) is an integral part of creative life at Clifton. Clifton has a long-standing tradition of pupils producing high quality artefacts in wood, metal and other materials, a tradition which has been augmented and brought up to date in recent times by the addition of two suites of PCs and related CAM equipment.

Head of D&T:
Mr Mark Barnacle MA BA
Teacher
Mr Bjorn Hoffman BA
Teacher & Technician
Mr David Oyns BA

Resources

Clifton has a large and well-equipped workshop that is flanked by a group of teaching rooms and a dedicated computer suite. We mainly specialise in the production of designs using wood and precious or semi-precious metals, although we also have the capacity to produce mechanical and electronics projects.

For designing and project work pupils have access to 32 PCs (with internet access, CAD and D&T related programs), and a range of graphics and presentation materials.

For practical project work the pupils may use a range of traditional hand tools as well as the kind of power and machine tools, including a laser and CNC equipment, that might be associated with commercial practice.

Teaching

At all levels of the school, Design and Technology is taught as an integrated program of work incorporating creative design, the study of background technical theory and the practical production of objects. As is appropriate for a creative subject, a high proportion of the pupils’ time is devoted to individual project work with the guidance and assistance of the teaching staff. Whole class teaching is used as an effective method of communicating new material and theory topics.

The Staff

Mark Barnacle MA BA. Head of Department. From a background of three dimensional design and production of furniture and silverware. Experience of production of high quality products for private commission, with more than thirty years experience of design and technology teaching to GCSE and A level. Higher degree in Visual Culture (the history and philosophy of the creative process in art and design).

Bjorn Hoffmann BA. Assistant teacher. From a background as a trained architect. With post graduate teacher training and more than fifteen years experience of teaching design and technology to GCSE and A level.

David Oyns BA. Workshop technician and part time teaching assistant. From a background as a highly experienced and qualified teacher of engineering, workshop practice and design with over thirty years teaching experience and further qualifications in science and technology.

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