Earlier this month, Mr Andy McCrea, Head of Technology and Design spent time with us to discuss the variety of work that pupils enjoy in the department. In this short video you will hear about the teaching approach in technology and design, the skills students learn in this subject and some of the projects they have completed. As pupils’ skills progress, the complexity of their projects increases and because of the range of equipment and CAD capabilities in the department our students are able to create impressive designs. This means that as our students advance to A-Level, the projects are really quite sophisticated and the boys are able to create innovative work of a very high standard.

In the video you will discover how students progress from Key Stage 3 onwards. Year 8s complete a simple Christmas decoration product using CAD and CAM manufacturing techniques and model planes crafted by hand. Year 9s take these skills a step further by making an angle-poise lamp using traditional wood working techniques and 3D printing while Year 10s learn model making and design challenges through creating effective shirt-folding aids.

Additionally, you will watch a video made by Year 11 GCSE students on the design process for their product ‘The Sock Lock’. The product was made for the iFORM 3D-printing design competition in collaboration with University College Dublin and the Faculty of Engineering in Porto. The challenge posed was that the product designed had to benefit others and resolve a problem. The team Rock’em Sock’em consisted of Year 11 pupils Tim, Chayce, Karsyn, Thomas and Charlie who designed a tool to help those with injuries such as a broken arm or disabilities who have difficulty putting on a sock independently. Once you have seen the product and learned about the process from our students, you won’t be surprised to hear that they won the competition and were awarded Best Overall Design from all the school entries from the whole of Ireland! They received a voucher each and Campbell received a new 3D printer in recognition of the success of the pupils’ well designed and carefully considered product.

As students progress through the GCSE to the A-Level course their skills become more accomplished allowing them to take a more independent approach and explore their own ideas. A few years ago, A-Level student, Josh Irwin (11656), won the Sentinus NI Young Innovators product design award from the Department of Infrastructure for a space-saving bike storage product. Designed for small city apartments, it’s sleek design and practicality caught the attention of the judges who were impressed with its intricate and meticulously planned processes. Josh was presented with the Innovation Award and the Best Practice Award.

In the video, you also heard about the Motor Vehicle Studies GCSE. This has been offered at Campbell since 2012 so is a well-established course. The subject has had significant achievements since its inception most notably the Best Overall Candidate in Northern Ireland winning the Ulster Bus Cup by Josh Irwin (11656) and best overall runner-up candidate on numerous occasions.  If you would like to learn more about this course or the Technology and Design GCSE and A Level courses, please see this link to our website:

Design & Technology - Campbell College

Technology and Design is thriving at Campbell, we really hope you have enjoyed this Spotlight and learned more about the achievements of our students. We are so proud of the wealth of talent at Campbell College!