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Design & Technology

Manufacturing is more than just putting parts together. It's coming up with ideas, testing principles and perfecting the engineering, as well as final assembly.James Dyson (1947–) British Inventor

An interest in ideas is a sign of human life. People are fascinated by what the future is going to be – and the future is going to be an accumulation of ideas.Thomas Heatherwick (1970–) British Designer

Good design is as little design as possible. Less, but better – because it concentrates on the essential aspects, and the products are not burdened with non-essentials. Back to purity, back to simplicity.Dieter Rams (1932–) German Industrial Designer

Good design is to bring a calm and simplicity to what are incredibly complex problems so that you're not aware really of the solution, you're not aware of how hard the problem was that was eventually solved.Jonathan Ive (1967–) British Designer and Chief Design Officer Apple Inc

Oakham’s Art and Design and Design Technology Departments have earned a national reputation for excellence thanks to our outstanding facilities, talented staff and the remarkable work that our pupils produce. 

The Richard Bull Centre is home to the Art Department with dedicated studios and workshops for Art, Sculpture, and Textiles. The range of activities, media and materials available is extensive. There are also opportunities for students to explore digital photography and new electronic media.

The Jerwood School of Design is a purpose-built facility that contains cutting edge equipment, including CREO 7.0 CAD software, 8 x 3D Rapid Prototype Printers, 6 x laser cutters and an extensive range of CNC machinery. As well as large workshops for pupils to work with more traditional materials, there are also studios dedicated to computer-aided design and electronics.

Both facilities are open for pupils to use beyond their timetabled lessons. We offer Art and Design Technology activities to pupils of all ages as part of the wider Activities Programme. The Departments are also open during the weekends for older students to work further on their coursework.

Regular exhibitions of the work of pupils of all ages are popular with visitors and the school community alike. The standard is indeed exceptional, as shown by Oakham pupils regularly winning art and design awards. The Art, Design and Technology Exhibition held each May is a particular highlight, as it offers a chance for our students in Forms 5–7 to showcase their exam work.

Many students go on to have successful careers in the creative industries.

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Tim Weston

Head of Design and Technology

I have been Head of Department since 2000 and in my roles as Prinicipal Moderator of IB DT IA, I have been involved in the curriculum review for both the current and previous subject guides and I have contributed to the writing of examination papers and have over 13 years of experience leading workshops. I am an ISI schools inspector and have contributed to the following subject resources: Introducing the IB Diploma Programme, Creative Schools' website and Audi Design Foundation. I am a member of the DATA secondary working group and achieved the IED prize for Outstanding Contribution to Post 16 Education in 2006.Having been a keen rower, I represented the GB U23 team at the Nations Cup in 1999. After which I spent time coaching the senior women’s squad at Nottingham Trent University, assisting coaching at Worcester Rowing Club and starting rowing as a sport at Oakham.