info@rbai.belfast.ni.sch.uk 028 90 240461
RBAI Foundation
Engineers acquire and apply their scientific and technical knowledge for the purpose of designing, analysing or building.

Engineering

Department
Engineering
Level
KS4, KS5
Head of Department
Mr J Wilson
Members of Dept
Mr D Lambe, Mr N Carson

Gallery

Gallery

Why study Engineering

Engineer comes from word engine which in turn comes from the Latin word ingenium. This has in mind the use of mental power to achieve quality outcomes, you may use the similar sounding word ingenious to describe an idea or solution that has involved mental skill or prowess.

So an engineer is described as someone who has acquired, and is applying their scientific and technical knowledge for the purpose of designing, analysing or building. They turn ideas into reality! We use the products and designs from their work on a daily basis and our lives would be vastly different without their input.

Did you know? Almost 20% of the total UK workforce are in the engineering sector.

A number of years ago RBAI decided to introduce Engineering as a GCSE subject choice, this widens the scope of subjects already offered by the technology department, and means that we can influence and inspire the highly sought after, skilled engineers of the future..

What Engineering offers?

Key Stage 4

Key Stage 4

The GCSE course follows the CCEA Occupational Studies specification and is divided into 2 units:

  • Unit 1 Year 11: CAD skills
  • Unit 2 Year 12: Manufacturing techniques

In Year 11 pupils gain skills in Computer Aided Design (CAD), this is one of the most desirable skills for engineers in today’s technology advanced design environment. Pupils design a product using CAD, and then in Year 12 their CAD design is used to manufacture the product.

This is a pattern followed by engineering companies within industry, both large and small: product design – development – build – test. We seek to provide a valuable and rewarding insight into engineering, and the design and manufacturing processes that are being implemented by engineering companies across the world.

The course is 100% practical with students competing a portfolio of evidence for each unit, submitted at the end of May.

More information about the course can be found by downloading the CCEA specification: https://ccea.org.uk/downloads/docs/Specifications/Level%201%20and%20Level%202/Level%201%20and%20Level%202%20Occupational%20Studies%20%282013%29/Level%201%20and%20Level%202%20Occupational%20Studies%20%282013%29-specification-Standard_11.pdf.

Key Stage 5

Key Stage 5

The course content and subject is taught and delivered by the Belfast Met, at their Milfield campus, situated a few hundred yards from RBAI. The course is a mix of practical and theory modules with assessment coming in the form of both coursework and exams. The units studied by RBAI pupils are as follows:

Year 13

  • Health and Safety in the Engineering Workplace
  • Mathematics for Engineering Principles

Year 14

  • Engineering Product and Design Manufacture
  • Computer Aided Design (CAD)

Exam Success

Engineering pupils consistently perform at a high level as evidenced by recent examination results.

GCSE: 100% A*-C, 95% A*-B

A Level: 100% A*-C.

Beyond the Classroom

The Engineering department links with others, where appropriate, to offer extra-curricular activities such as competitions and projects. Recent examples of this include the Engineering Futures project, sponsored by Sentinus, and the IET Lego robot programming competition held at the W5.

The department will always seek to provide the RBAI pupils who chose the subject, an enjoyable and stimulating study of Engineering.