Vocational

Welcome to the Vocational Department

The Vocational Department consists of six subjects; Business Studies, Computing, Design & Technology, Engineering, and Hospitality & Catering.

Design and Technology, Engineering, and Hospitality & Catering are inspiring, rigorous and practical subjects which prepare all young people to live and work in the designed and made world. These subjects provide opportunities for students to develop their capabilities, combining their designing and making skills with knowledge and understanding in order to create quality products.

With Business Studies, and Computing we endeavour to give students an in-depth understanding of how business and computer technology works. Offering real-world insights into what goes on behind the scenes.

Meet the Vocational Department
The department team consists of 12 members of staff. These are:

Name	Title
Miss J Edwards	Assistant Headteacher, Head of Department, Teacher of Hospitality & Catering
Mr S Oliver	Teacher of Computing
Miss N Hussain	Assistant Head of Pastoral, Teacher of Engineering
Mrs T Larkin	Teacher of Business Enterprise & Marketing, Hospitality & Catering, Engineering and Computing
Mrs A Khan	Teacher of Design and Technology
Miss R Hill	Teacher of Design Technology, Engineering and Computer Science
Mr M Hart	Teacher of Engineering, and Design Technology
Miss M Newhouse	Teacher of Enterprise and Marketing, Hospitality and Catering, and Computer Science
Mrs S Brown	Teaching Assistant
Mr D Heaton	Teaching Assistant
Ms S Menendez	Design and Technology Technician

The aims of the Vocational Department are:

To provide outstanding learning and teaching which enables all students, to aspire and achieve during their time and school and beyond;
To help students build on their strengths and overcome their weaknesses;
To provide students with a variety of experiences and the support they need to be healthy, to stay safe, to enjoy and achieve, to make a positive contribution and to achieve economic well-being;
To use the skills, knowledge, experience and talents of all staff to personalise the learning for each student;
To set high expectations of student behaviour and standard of work;
Wherever possible, teachers will encourage spiritual, moral, social and cultural development, through the curriculum or by other means

How can I support my child?

Ensure they complete all homework tasks.
Quiz your child on the questions in ‘what knowledge do they need to be successful? At the end of each month’.
Ensure they complete all homework tasks on time
You can purchase KS4 revision work books from many online stores and bookshops. Students will be able to make notes, complete tasks and use these resources for revision. You can also encourage your child to look back through their classwork and reflect upon their learning.
Know where they are up to and have regular conversations with your child regarding their progress.
Ensure your child has the equipment for practical Catering lessons (this will be in their Google Classroom).
Encourage them to cook, sketch, make, read for pleasure.
Useful websites:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/levels/z4kw2hv

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/levels/z98jmp3

Contact us – all staff are available to contact via email – just ask. Any questions or concerns you have we’re here for you and happy to help!