Design Technology

Getting to know... Mr Futter, Head of Design Technology

1. If you could design something able to change the world, what would it be?

I am always thinking of products which could harness renewable energy. Solar panels are great, but I believe the answer lies in utilising the power of the ocean by having tidal turbines which can channel the immense power of the sea.

2. What is your most embarrassing teacher moment?

At my last school, I had a double lesson with Year 11 in the morning. At around 10am, I noticed a student was missing and I assumed he must have slipped out to go to the toilet but he did not return. Staff spent the whole day looking for him and could not find him anywhere so ended up calling his parents and the police to find him. At 6pm, I heard a strange noise in my DT workshop and found the student hiding in a small cupboard where he had been all day to escape doing a Maths exam in the afternoon.

3. What’s your favourite part about being a DT teacher?

My favourite must be when you can suddenly see the change in a student where they really embrace the role as a ‘Designer’. At this point, it feels as though you are working with a professional rather than a student.

4. What’s your closest claim to fame?

When I was a toddler, I used to do child modelling. I once was on a massive advertising billboard on the motorway between Toys’R’Us and Brent Cross.

5. What is the one thing you look forward to doing when home after school?

Something active - football, tennis, climbing, gym or swimming are my regular evening and weekend pursuits.

6. How do you think your students will remember you?

Hopefully as someone who is fun, relaxed and supportive, however I am sure my cat will be remembered longer than I will.

7. Which are your must-have smartphone apps?

I like to check-in on my cat using an app called ‘Pawbo’. The app controls a device at home which enables me to see her with a live feed, play with toys, drop food treats and even control a laser pen. It’s fun and surprisingly relaxing!

7. What is your party trick?

I used to be known for my ‘Man-vs-Food’ feats. Fortunately, I have always been very active to burn it off….

A Year 13 Design Technology A-level Student

For our A level project we got to write our own brief. We were advised to do something we were passionate about and I swim a lot so I wanted to do something related to that. In the end I chose to design a diving block that would solve the problems of existing products.

I focused mainly on being able to change the angle of the platform, using effective grip surfaces on the platform and metal bars at the front and ensuring the product would be easy to clean. It was also fun to try and do something a bit different with the design. A lot of diving blocks look very similar in style so I spent time on the aesthetic, taking ideas for the fish shape from water and swimming in general.

Iola Ryland, Year 13

In Year 9 DT this year, we have been designing and making our own lights. The aim of this was to learn about electronics, wood joining techniques and articulation for the angle change of our lights. We started by drawing our designs and then prototyping them until we were sure of our final designs. We were given free choice on what the lamps could look like, so some people came up with flowers, robots and even jellyfish!

Sophie Claxton (right) and Natasha Jones (left)

For my design I chose a popcorn box for people into movies, TV shows - or maybe just popcorn! After the prototypes were finished we all started building our lamps. This ranged from cutting out the wood, soldering the wires onto the circuit, attaching the wood together using our wood-joining techniques and finally adding the light. I really enjoyed working on this project as it was a creative opportunity and showed us the variety of steps it takes to make one. Everyone finished with amazing lamps and thoroughly enjoyed the process.

Sophie Buhler

Annika Malhotra, Year 9 Caitlin Grosvenor

Hannah Leathem

Aemaan Khan