Technology Faculty
Birchwood Construction students build a foundation knowledge platform of construction materials and processes. We also seek to develop their practical and design skills in the built environment disciplines.
Birchwood ICT and Computing students develop IT literacy allowing them to link logical thinking with creativity to solve problems in our ever changing technological world
The Birchwood Food Technology student is equipped with knowledge, understanding and skills required to cook dishes in order to feed themselves and others affordably and nutritiously both now and later in life
“If you understand business concepts, you have the potential to own your own dreams and aspirations and to be the boss of you”.
Birchwood designers are analytical, skilful and innovative. Our students have a breadth of knowledge to prepare them for a modern world and its challenges
Staff
To contact a member of this Faculty, click their staff initials to open a new e-mail
| JSS | Mr J Stephens | Head of Faculty (Graphic Products) |
| AKC | Mr A Kadlec | Food Technology and Nutrition |
| JLW | Mrs J Law | Technology / Textiles |
| BMN | Mrs B McEwen-Smith | Food Technology and Nutrition |
| CMO | Miss C Munro | Technology |
| JBD | Mr J Budd | Head of Media and Film (Media Studies / Film Studies) |
| MAS | Ms M Adams | Technology |
| RNN | Mr R Newman | KS4 Coordinator (Technology / Construction) |
| SCD | Mr S Creed | Head of IT (ICT / Technology) |
| KDS | Mrs K Davies | Technology |
Curriculum Maps
Key Stage 3
Key Stage 5
Extra-Curricular Activities
Extra-Curricular Activities will be available shortly.
Lunchtimes
TBC
After school
TBC
Subject Support
Lunchtimes
Year 10
D & T Workshop Club (GWR)
In C7 on Thursdays, 13.30-14.00
Years 9 to 11
IT Revision (SMR)
In C26 on Fridays, 13:30-14:00
After school
Years 10 and 11
Business revision with (EDH)
In B12 on Wednesdays, 15.30-16.30
Year 9 to 11
IT revision (SMR)
In C26 on Wednesdays, 15.30-16.30
Year 11
Coursework support sessions for Design and Technology (GWR)
In C9 on Thursdays, 15.25-16.25
News
Rotary Young Engineer of the Year
We hosted the annual “rotary young engineer challenge”. This year, teams were set the challenge of creating a device to sort coins using only a limited supply of timber, card and basic fittings. They only had two hours to design and create their device. It was a packed workshop with 20 teams from across all of the six other local schools.
Our teams represented us extremely well with our foundation team securing 2nd place and our senior team securing 3rd place. Congratulations to everyone who took part in this tough competition.
Young chef competition
In June, Birchwood saw the return of the . It has been four years since this has been able to run and students from Birchwood, Hockerill, Herts & Essex and St Nicholas were very keen to show off their skill and talent. The students competed against each other to produce a three course meal for two with a tight budget of £20. They only had two hours to prepare, cook and present their tables which were judged by local experts. These included a college lecturer, the head chef at Novotel Stansted and the owner of Host.
Mr Kadlec worked extremely hard with our team of Year 9’s, Rebecca Bedwell, Amber Owen and Kiaya Payne, practicing at lunchtimes and after school to prepare for the event. They prepared an outstanding meal of duck dumplings, chicken and butternut squash curry with accompaniments and finished off with espresso cream filled profiteroles and they took the top spot, winning the senior category. Congratulations too to St Nicholas for winning the junior competition and the overall young chef.
It was a great afternoon for all and the judges highly commended all the students for their calmness under pressure and the skills they have shown. We can’t wait to defend the title next year!
Birchwood “Unsung Heroes” receive their highly commended certificate at the Indies
On Thursday 18 November, Miss Munro, Mr Osborne and myself went to the annual Indie awards at the South Mill Arts Centre. Our PPE manufacturing team had been nominated for the unsung hero award by readers of the Bishop’s Stortford Independent. It was a fantastic evening with a red carpet and meal laid on by a local caterer. We were at a table with the other nominee; Dr Sian Stanley. It was great to put a face to a name as during our time manufacturing we were in contact on several occasions to ensure the PPE went out to where it was needed locally. We were so proud to be awarded the highly commended certificate in
recognition of our work over that challenging time.
Mr Stephens, Technology