Design at Wellington

Understanding the contribution of Design Technology to society and the potential opportunities that may lead from studying it, the Design Technology department at Wellington regularly offers inspiring experiences for pupils to explore the subject in its many forms away from the classroom.

Visits to Brompton Bikes, McLaren, Seymourpowell, Sebastian Conran Associates, The Design Museum, The Victoria and Albert Museum, The Science Museum and lectures on ‘Hybrid Power’ by Patrick Head, ‘Powering the Future’ by Melanie Windridge, ‘Want to make a difference? Become an engineer!’ by Judith Hackett and ‘The Building of the Shard’ by Joss Pettitt allow pupils to hear, visit and make contact with companies, organisations and individuals that demonstrate the many directions their interests could lead to.

The department in conjunction with other STEM subject areas have run the ‘Love STEM’ conference, with the aim of promoting the understanding of career opportunities for those that study Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. External experts visit the department to run practical workshops with the intention of allowing pupils to have hands-on experience and guidance: areas that have been covered recently are Jewellery, SMART Textiles, Architecture and Product Design.

The department has organised Service Trips to Tanzania in which pupils have worked alongside and designed for Shanga, a Tanzanian product design company. Shanga is dedicated to supporting and empowering the disabled community. Committed to environmentally friendly and sustainable business practices, Shanga work with fabrics and recycled materials to produce products which are then sold in local boutiques.

Pupils also have the opportunity to participate and lead in VEX Robotics, 3D Printing and F1 in Schools clubs within the department. As well as making use of the department Workshops to create individual projects.

Once a year, pupils’ design work is also displayed at the Design Technology Speech Day exhibition.