Past Course Titles

GCSE Design and Technology: Electronic Products

Getting to grips with PICs

A support workshop designed to gain a thorough knowledge and understanding of what PICs are and how to use them effectively, this is suitable for teachers of Electronics, Electronic Products and Systems and Control Technology, or for any teacher wishing to integrate PICs into D&T courses.

Course Content

  • Understanding PICs and how they work
  • Exploring the potential of PICs at Key Stages 3 and 4
  • Integrating PICs as a creative design tool in D&T courses
  • Improving coursework projects using PIC
  • Preparing students for PIC-type questions in written examinations
  • Excellent resource materials

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GCSE Design and Technology: Graphic Products

Jigs, Templates and Accuracy: Raising Standards in Graphic Products

A practical, 'hands-on' workshop specially designed to help teachers get to grips with the basic processes and techniques involved in Graphic Products. Suitable for established teachers who wish to update their knowledge of graphic techniques, those with limited experience of teaching Graphic Products and those who are teaching this subject for the first time.

Course Content

  • Exploring the potential and effectiveness of different types of materials
  • Making and using jigs, fixtures and templates for accurate measurements
  • Using die and laser cutters and other graphics equipment
  • The principles of injection moulding and vacuum forming
  • Enhancement techniques and finishing techniques
  • Designing and making in accordance with the assessment criteria
  • Excellent resource materials

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GCSE Design and Technology: Product Design

Planning and Delivering Successful Product Design Courses

A workshop designed to give teachers the correct steer towards an integrated structure in GCSE Product Design. The multi-media approach is explored in depth and sessions include how to teach for the examination through effective coursework, how to create practical opportunities for industrial practices in the classroom and how to address key areas of Work-Related Learning such as product analysis and industrial understanding. The course will provide invaluable CPD training and excellent resource materials.

Course Content

  • Understanding the multi-media approach in Product Design
  • Teaching the examination through coursework
  • Analysing products for industrial understanding
  • Creating opportunities for industrial practices in the classroom
  • Project ideas, games and quizzes to motivate and encourage students

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GCSE Design and Technology: Textiles Technology

Moving Forward in Textiles Technology

A Textiles workshop designed to improve coursework performance whilst supporting national and school initiatives such as Assessment for Learning and Work-Related Learning and how this subject area can support the school SEF process

Course Content

  • Good practice and meeting the criteria, including level of demand, in Textiles projects
  • Exploration of project brief and relevant research
  • Developing effective designs
  • Testing and evaluating in a meaningful way
  • Work-Related Learning and assessment for learning in the delivery of Textiles coursework
  • Excellent resource materials

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GCE Design and Technology: Product Design (Textiles)

Raise your Value Added – through Effective Revision

A workshop designed to support teachers of the current specifications for AS D&T: Product Design (Textiles) to raise achievement for Unit 1 (PD1T) and Unit 3 (PD3T). The resource pack contains teaching and learning materials and exemplar marked scripts which can be used when preparing students for the written papers.

Course Content

  • Guidance on maximising student performance in Units 1 and 3
  • Top tips on preparing students for Unit 3 - Design and Market Influences
  • Detailed discussion of previous examination scripts, mark schemes and practice in assessment
  • Advice on suitable teaching and learning resources and effective use of the preparation sheet
  • Effective methods of target setting and monitoring

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GCE Design and Technology: Product Design (3D Design)

Raise your Value Added – through Effective Revision

A workshop designed to support teachers of the current specifications for AS Product Design (3D Design) to raise achievement for Unit 1 (PD1D) and Unit 3 (PD3D). The pack includes teaching and learning materials and revision exercises which can be adapted for individual use.

Course Content

  • Guidance on maximising student performance in Unit 1
  • Top tips on preparing students for Unit 3 - Design and Market Influences
  • An opportunity to try out differentiated teaching and learning/revision activities
  • Effective methods of target setting and monitoring
  • Advice on suitable teaching and learning resources and how to develop appropriate external links

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GCSE Food for Design and Technology and Home Economics: Food and Nutrition teachers

Teaching Food is Fun!

This workshop a great opportunity to experience working with food in exciting, innovative ways and experimenting with the aesthetics and presentation of food.

Course Content

  • Insight into the dietary properties of food and their value as part of a balanced diet
  • The chance to explore new teaching and learning techniques which can be applied in the classroom
  • How to use and adapt these techniques to support your schemes of work for KS3 and GCSE

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Primary Languages: French

Brush Up Your Basics!

This course is designed to help primary teachers implement the National Languages Strategy in their classes and is suitable for those who have a basic knowledge of French and wish to brush up on their language skills in preparation for teaching.

Course Content

  • Lots of helpful ideas on language teaching which can be used the very next day
  • Exploration of successful cross-curricular strategies to make the maximum use of classroom time for languages
  • Practical tips and advice by practising language teachers
  • A confidence boost to make the most of your language skills
  • Ways to make language teaching fun for you and your children

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Primary Languages: Spanish

Brush Up Your Basics!

This course is designed to help primary teachers implement the National Languages Strategy in their classes and is suitable for those who have a basic knowledge of Spanish and wish to brush up on their language skills in preparation for teaching.

Course Content

  • Lots of helpful ideas on language teaching which can be used the very next day
  • Exploration of successful cross-curricular strategies to make the maximum use of classroom time for languages
  • Practical tips and advice by practising language teachers
  • A confidence boost to make the most of your language skills
  • Ways to make language teaching fun for you and your children

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GCSE Physics three-day residential course

(Note: aspects of this course can be delivered in one-day courses for teachers)

Practical Physics for the Terrified!

If you are not a Physics specialist and have been asked to teach GCSE Physics, then this three-day residential course is the one for you. It concentrates on basic practical work and skills to help you deliver the practical Physics aspects of AQA's GCSE Science specification with confidence.

Course Content

  • A valuable opportunity to gain 'hands-on' experience of a variety of practical activities and skills
  • Focused practical sessions on Dynamics, Waves and Sound, Radioactivity, Electric Circuits, Turning Forces, Heat and Static Electricity
  • The confidence to deliver GCSE Physics to students
  • Excellent, ready-to-use resource materials for the classroom

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GCE Applied Travel and Tourism

(Note: aspects of this course can be delivered in one-day courses for teachers)

The lonely teacher's not-so-rough guide to Units 9 and 10

A workshop for teachers of GCE Travel and Tourism offering an in-depth exploration of Unit 9 'People and Quality', and Unit 10 'Current Issues in Travel and Tourism'.

Course Content

  • A valuable opportunity to gain insight into the delivery of two units (9 and 10) that are compulsory yet unfamiliar to many teachers
  • Better understanding of relevant current issues and appropriate travel and tourism organisations
  • Insight into people and quality training in a real travel and tourism organisation
  • Exploration of a range of real travel and tourism resources, including media and video
  • Valuable suggestions on how to use available information to guide your students and raise their attainment in this popular area

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