Meet the Team:

Gemma Smeaton -  Design Technology & Food Technology Teacher

Hi, my name is Gemma and I teach Design Technology. I have always had an interest in design and love to get creative. I started my Degree later on in life in Graphic Design and Emedia foundation course and Creative Industries for my top up year. For the last year I got the opportunity to do live briefs ,where i designed packaging for a chocolate shop. Following on from my degree i created websites and shop fronts. I then worked as a technician in Product Design and started teacher training. I got my first teaching job in a secondary school as a Design Technology teacher and stayed there for two years. I always wanted the opportunity to work at Keyham Lodge and am so glad to be a part of a wonderful team. Design Technology is a fantastic subject that allows students to use the machines , get creative, problem solve and work as a team. 

Karl Davey - Design Technology Teacher

I am a creative person who enjoys designing and making. Being a hands on person I understand that some students prefer a more practical approach to learning. At home I design and make furniture and draw on this experience to help support our students to realise their own creativity. I have been Teaching Design and Technology at Keyham for 3 years and it has been exciting to watch our students gain new skills becoming more confident and understanding the world around themselves better through D and T.

 

 

Darwin Davies- Curriculum Specialist Support

Leaving College at 16, I went straight into a placement as an YTS at a local reprographics company producing all things for the printing trade. Leaving the placement a year later, saw me getting a full time job at a commercial printer where I stayed for 15 years until we had to finally close due to a downturn in business. During this period, I was involved in every aspect of pre and post production from initial meetings with clients to discuss design ideas, procurement, negotiating, product design, producing camera ready artwork, planning and plate making, printing, finishing, packaging, invoicing, deliveries, monthly accounts and finally, debt recovery....I was very lucky to have a gained a wealth of experience.

Starting again, this time as a graphic designer to a used machinery dealer in Leicester. Drawing upon my skills, I was able to help make them the leading used machinery supplier in the UK. I was allowed to thoroughly rebrand their image and take control of the advertising budget of £60k. After 12 years of service and multiple recessions, I was made redundant. During my time as a graphic designer, I also trained as a level 2 teacher and swimming coach for Leicester Sharks, a leading force in Midlands swimming. This is where I discovered my passion for teaching, having 3 squads and being responsible for 80 swimmers progress certainly focuses the mind! It's hard to believe that I started Keyham Lodge in October 2018, seems as if I've been here for years but still a newbie. It's the only role that I've had that allows me to be me and demands that you evaluate every single word or action as each one has a direct impact on a young person's day, week or life! I feel incredibly supported within our department and School as a whole and draw upon the experiences of my two mentors daily. Learning more each day, I'm lucky to have found where I'm meant to be.