Bradfield has been awarded with Specialist Status for Engineering from September 2007.
The foundation upon which our school defines 'Engineering' is - 'The translation of scientific and technological knowledge into strategies and artefacts that meet the need and demands of individuals, industry and society as a whole.' This 'definition' will enable all curriculum areas to make significant contributions towards the development and achievement of our goals. This definition will facilitate the development of:
- Problem solving skills
- Initiative
- Divergent and innovative thought
- Teamwork and interpersonal skills
- Independent work and learning
- Enterprise and economic awareness
- Use of modern technologies and information storage, retrieval and use
- Awareness of the social and environmental impact of current and future technologies
It is our intention:
- To make Engineering and Science a theme for delivering key elements of the curriculum
- To show that engineering and scientific principals are essential for both the development of a modem technological society and for every individual within that society
- To develop a positive modern and gender free image of engineering and science.
- To show that the impact of Science and Engineering development transcends traditional curriculum area boundaries.
- To promote the concept that modern technologies must sit along side simple technologies in order to meet the varied needs of local, national and global society
- To give all students an understanding that Science, Technology, Engineering and Enterprise are integral and necessary to the foundation of modern and developing societies.
- To provide the community with opportunities for development and accredited training programmes in the field of modern engineering, technology, science and environmental awareness.
- To act as a hub for cross phase activities and developments
- To actively promote post 16 progression to FE and HE
- To raise levels of achievement for all students and to promote the concept of inclusivity through appropriate and varied curricula experiences and appropriate and varied teaching and learning strategies.
- To work closely with local, national and international industries so as to provide a context for motivating students of all ages abilities and aptitudes and to ensure that effective communication exists so mat a common perception of success exists.
Strategies
It is not the intention to 'skew' the curriculum towards engineering. It is the intention to enhance all curriculum areas using the vehicle of 'Scientific Engineering', In developing a strategy for Bradfield school we have taken into consideration the geographic, social and academic context of our school. One key element that hinds the school with its local community and current national needs is that of the impact of technology and engineering upon the environment, ecological and social.
It is proposed that we work towards becoming an ' Eco School' - a school that supports a positive approach towards the environment through the curriculum, and through the structure itself being an example and a learning resource. We will be considering;
- Energy generation through renewable sources e.g. Wind, Biomass, Solar etc
- A positive recycling programme for ALL aspects of the schools' functions
- Significant curricular programmes investigating environmental awareness through technological, scientific, historical, social and political themes
- Extensive and integrated industrial links - it is envisaged that these links will enable meaningful dialogue to take place and give industry the opportunity to contribute towards the development and 'shape' of the education provided by Bradfield School. It is our intention to ensure that these links are a true partnership that will be of mutual benefit to industry in general and specific associated industries