Engineering (Vocational Level 2 and BTEC Level 3)

Intent

Subject Vision Statement

Engineering is the designing, testing and building of machines, structures and processes using maths and science. Engineering is a discipline dedicated to problem solving, while equipping you with all the analytical, design and computing skills that underpin modern engineering practice. Our vision is for students to experience inclusive, engaging and inspiring engineering experiences with real-life relatable role models. Our mission is to support and inspire the next generation of digital engineers. We are working to increase the diversity and number of young people entering engineering careers, to develop a diverse and innovative engineering workforce of the future, and enhance the social and economic progress of our community.

Adventurous - The Engineering curriculum encourages students to take risks, experiment with new methods, ideas, or experiences to order to gain knowledge and understanding whilst developing practical skills and techniques. Our aim is to create a learning environment that allows students to step outside their comfort zone, encouraging them to explore and experiment the unknown with confidence.

Resilience - When taking risks, you learn that there will be times when you succeed and there will be times when you fail and both are equally important in Engineering. It is the ability to resist failure or use that failure that often leads to greater success. Our students should not be afraid to take risks for fear of failing, but encouraged to continue and face the fear of the unknown. Embracing failure is an important yet difficult trait, learning from failure builds resilience and confidence.

Independence - Our aim is to provide our students with the fundamental skills, concepts and knowledge necessary for them to express themselves as designers and engineers. We raise standards in Engineering through high expectations and have developed creative schemes of work that allow students to thrive and showcase their personal successes.

Challenge - Students are supported to become independent learners, through independent design and practical production tasks. Challenges include being able to independently operate engineering machinery tools and equipment safely. Students are challenged to product technical drawings to a high standard in order to meet BS8888 standards using CAD packages such as 2d Design, Autocad and Fusion 360.

Curiosity - is a beneficial quality in all aspects of engineering because it indicates interest and drives creativity. Engineers must have the energy and determination to research and understand problems and their solutions and it starts with that natural curiosity. Our curriculum develops a student’s natural curiosity by encouraging them to open their minds beyond their comfort level, be creative not restrictive and provokes further questioning and investigation.

Community - People who pursue engineering as a career are often overshadowed by the myths surrounding the field of engineering. Our Curriculum promotes inclusively and engineering careers, challenging stereotypes and dispelling common myths about engineering. Engineers help to find solutions to real-life problems, it’s the creative minds that can help come up with adequate solutions by thinking outside the box.

IMPLEMENTATION

WJEC Level 1/2 Technical Award in Engineering offers a learning experience that focusses learning for 14-16 year olds through applied learning, i.e. acquiring and applying knowledge, skills and understanding through purposeful tasks set in sector or subject contexts that have many of the characteristics of real work. The qualification is built from discrete units, but allows for both synoptic learning and assessment. Each unit has an applied purpose which acts as a focus for the learning in the unit.

The applied purpose is the vehicle through which the learning contained in the unit is made relevant and purposeful. It is also the means by which learners are enthused, engaged and motivated to study engineering. The applied purpose provides the opportunity for authentic work-related learning, but more than this, it will require learners to consider how the use and application of their learning impacts on individuals, employers, society and the environment.

The applied purpose will also enable learners to learn in such a way that they develop:

• skills required for independent learning and development;
• a range of generic and transferable skills;
• the ability to solve problems;
• the skills of project-based research, development and presentation;
• the fundamental ability to work alongside other professionals, in a professional environment;
• the ability to apply learning in vocational contexts.

The qualifications have been devised around the concept of a ‘plan, do, review’ approach to learning where learners are introduced to a context for learning, review previous learning to plan activities, carry out activities and review outcomes and learning. This approach mirrors engineering production and design processes and also provides for learning in a range of contexts thus enabling learners to apply and extend their learning. As such, the qualification provides learners with a broad appreciation of work in engineering related industries and wider opportunities for progression into further education, employment or training. The qualification has been designed to build on the skills, knowledge and understanding acquired at Key Stage 3, particularly skills related to literacy, numeracy, use of technology and design.

IMPACT

Students will make good progress against their outcomes, which will mean high attainment; a strong grounding for life in the real world, equipping them with skills such as identifying issues, problem solving, expressing ideas creatively and clearly, developing ideas and communicating these to others. Progress will be monitored against target grades, gap analysis is undertaken after formal assessments to enable staff to identify individual student’s areas of weakness and strength, enabling them to offer personalised personal checklist to improve performance.

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KS4 Engineering:

KS4: Weekly Task - create flashcards based on topics covered using Quizlet

Online Flashcard Maker & Flashcard App | Quizlet

KS5 Engineering

Yr 12: Term 1& 2 weekly maths task in prep for exam, term 3,4, 5 and 6: research based tasks to inform Unit 2 Assignment

Yr 13: to research Fusion Tutorials weekly on You tube and demonstrate/share new learning  with peers

Homework is set weekly and is related to the topics studied in class, at that time. These include a variety of activities, from set questions to research, and coursework based tasks.

WJEC Level 1/2 Vocational Award

Students studying WJEC Level 2 Tech Award in Engineering will receive 3 timetabled lessons a week, in Year 10 and 11. Over the course of the 2 years students will study 3 mandatory units.

Summary of Assessment

BTEC Level 3 National

Engineering is a dynamic sector that offers huge potential for students. Engineering turnover was £1.1 trillion in the year ending March 2012, and the sector accounts for 24.5 per cent of the turnover of all enterprises in the UK. The UK is regarded as a world leader in engineering sectors, including renewable energy, space, low carbon, aerospace, creative industries, utilities, automotive, agri­food and bioscience. Between 2010 and 2020 engineering enterprises are projected to have 2.74 million job openings, including more than 400,000 technician roles (as the predominantly ageing workforce in this area is expected to retire in this period).

BTEC Nationals are demanding and will require you to complete a wide range of units and assessments, from examinations and written work to practical assignments. You will need to build a portfolio of the assignment work you complete, as evidence of your achievements on the BTEC. Students in Year 12 and 13 studying the Level 3 Extended Certificate in Engineering have 5 lessons a week, completing 4 units over the two year course: Unit 1 and 2 in year 12 and units 3 and 10 in year 13.  This course is challenging, but the rewards of success will have a huge positive impact on the students plans for the future; whether that is studying further, going on to work on an apprenticeship or even setting up their own business.

Engineering (Extended Certificate)

General Information (Useful information for Parents)

Students studying WJEC Level 2 Tech Award in Engineering will receive 3 timetabled lessons a week, in Year 10 and 11. Over the course of the 2 years students will study 3 mandatory units.

Useful Websites

Imperial College - London

Technology Student

BBC Bitesize

Revision Guide

General Information (Useful information for Parents)

Engineering revision guides are a valuable tool in supporting the students when preparing for the exam elements of the course, students are encouraged to purchase these revision guides which can be found on Amazon.

Useful Websites

Imperial College - London

Engineering contains a large number of job opportunities and specialities. We’ve selected a list of specialities below. With each speciality, we look at the definition and nature of the work, the specialities employment trends, possibly career advancement opportunities, and hope that it is helpful for you in determining whether or not the career is right for you.

Aerospace Engineer

Aerospace engineering is the study of the design, development, and production of air and spacecraft. This engineering discipline is often divided between those who pursue careers on the aeronautical side and those working on space craft. Both air and space vehicles contain complex subsystems that require specialists from many engineering groups such as electrical, mechanical, and computer engineering.

Agricultural Engineer

Agricultural engineering is also known as biological engineering, and it covers subjects from aquaculture (raising food sources that thrive in water), to land farming and forestry. These engineers also develop biofuels, plan animal environments, and find better food processing methods. Often they work in offices, but they are also outdoors and travelling to worksites where they oversee equipment function in agricultural settings, and assure that government regulations are met.

Automotive Engineer

Automotive engineering is one of the most exciting, challenging and rewarding careers. Whenever a customer drives a new vehicle off a dealership lot, he or she is taking with them the technical expertise of many engineers, but in particular, the automotive engineer. Automotive engineers research, design and develop vehicles and their subsystems. They work with sophisticated technologies to create products that thrill the senses and bring the freedom of mobility to the world.

Biomedical Engineer

Biomedical engineers work with a combination of biology, medicine and engineering. They are trained to analyse and design solutions that will improve patient care. They are the professionals behind sophisticated medical equipment like MRIs and microscopic surgical machines. Biomedical engineers are also responsible for research and development of medical innovations like artificial organs and prosthesis.

Chemical Engineers

Chemical engineers utilise their knowledge of the physical world to manipulate the interactions of individual atoms and molecules. Their talents are generally employed in the research and development of new materials and are critical to numerous fields including nanotechnology, energy storage, and computing. Often working alongside other engineers in interdisciplinary teams to solve humanity's greatest problems, chemical engineers are guaranteed to remain key leaders in securing our future prosperity whether on this planet or any other.

Civil Engineer

Civil engineers specialise in road, bridge, buildings and water supply system design and construction. They supervise and direct construction teams and work with other engineers. These professionals ensure that every structure built is environmentally compliant and can withstand earthquakes and hurricanes. This is especially true in places where these natural calamities often strike.

Computer Engineers

Computer Engineers develop and improve the software programs and hardware that make computers run. Computer Engineers may specialise in either software or hardware. From operating system software, such as Windows and Linux, to individual computer programs, such as Photoshop and Microsoft Office, Software Engineers turn piles of hardware into fully functional computers. Hardware Engineers develop the hardware of computers, including the motherboards, graphics and audio cards and drives that are later programmed by Software Engineers.

Drafting and Design Engineer

Drafting and Design Engineering is an exciting career that allows the engineer to be involved in all stages of the design process, from conception to presentation of the finished plans. This career requires a working knowledge of drafting and design principles, material types and properties, and manufacturing processes.

Electrical Engineer

Electrical engineers specialise in power supply and generation. They design, develop, test and supervise electrical equipment manufacturing. They have also been trained to handle responsibilities like wiring and lighting installations in buildings, automobiles and aircraft. What is great about being an electrical engineer is that the training is so extensive that graduates may land a job in many different industries such as construction, manufacturing and design.

Environmental Engineer

Environmental engineers use science and engineering principles to protect and improve the environment. The quality of air, water, and soil is their primary focus. They seek solutions to water-borne diseases, wastewater management, and air pollution. They work to improve recycling, waste disposal, and industrial hygiene. They analyse soil and water samples. They understand the law as it applies to protecting the environment.

Geological Engineer

Geological engineering involves geology, civil engineering, and fields such as mining, forestry and geography. These engineers apply earth sciences to human problems. Speciality areas include geotechnical site studies of rock and soil slope stability for projects; environmental studies and planning for construction sites; groundwater studies; hazard investigations; and finding fossil fuel and mineral deposits.

Marine Engineer

Marine Engineers are responsible for the design and construction of seagoing vessels and structures, focusing primarily on their internal systems. Simply put, they design the onboard electrical, environmental and propulsion systems aboard everything from oil platforms to cruise ships.

Mechanical Engineer

Mechanical engineering is the study of motion, energy and force. The mechanical engineer seeks to control these elements by using a combination of material, human and economic resources to develop mechanical solutions that help satisfy the needs and wants of society.

Petroleum Engineer

Petroleum engineers specialise in designing and developing technology and methods for digging the earth’s surface to extract oil and gas. They find means to obtain either natural gas or crude oil from the ground. In addition, petroleum engineers explore and discover new techniques to extract oil and gas from older wells all over the world.

Software Engineer

Software engineers are specialists who are in charge of the testing, design, development and maintenance of computer software for business and personal use. They apply the principles of mathematics, engineering and computer science in creating managing software.

Useful Websites - Job Opportunities

• British Engineering - Click Here
• Find an apprenticeship - Click Here
• Engineering and Manufacturing Apprenticeships - Click Here
• TFL Apprenticeships - Click Here
• RAF - Click Here
• Army - Click Here

Useful Websites - Career Related

• Engineering- Click Here
• Prospects - Click Here
• The Manufacturer - Click Here

Useful Websites for further information on careers and apprenticeships :

https://www.engineeringjobs.co.uk/

https://www.theengineer.co.uk/careers-engineering-first-steps/

https://www.tomorrowsengineers.org.uk/students/career-finder/

https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/job-categories/engineering-and-maintenance