Automotive Studies

Welcome to the Kingsmead Academy Motor Vehicle Department

An excellent starter to the Automotive Industry, preparing students for further education and employment in this sector. Working safely in a workshop environment using correct tools for the job. Manufacturing a tool using specialist equipment. How to identify faults, both mechanical and electrical. These are the topics studied throughout Year 10 and 11. You will need to have your own PPE of safety boots and overalls for all practical lessons. The practical element of the course is taught in half of the lessons, the remaining time is for theory-based learning.

The course is divided into four components over two years, with an exam at the end of course.

1. Introduction to Health and Safety, the legal requirements of the employee and employer. Job roles within the industry. The effect combustion engines have on our environment and how recycling works within the industry.
2. Manufacturing a tool to show your engineering skills including a practical assessment using a metal lathe, drilling, and threading.
3. Braking and suspension systems have a practical and written assessment to include how they operate, strip, inspection report and assembly. This is done with real cars, with everyday faults that you would see in a garage. The basics of a combustion engine, servicing and changing cambelts as part of the assessment.
4. In the final component of the course we cover electrical systems, how to make a circuit with resistors, testing circuits and fault finding. Charging and starting systems testing and replacing components.

The final exam is taken once the coursework units are completed. It consists of a 30-question multiple choice paper that is done online. To pass this exam you need to achieve a minimum of 57%. There is one opportunity to re-sit the exam before the end of Year 11.

Lunch time activities and catch-up session are available once a week in the workshop.