Design Technology

Key skills (subject specific) that are developed:

Design and Technology is vital in giving students the opportunity to develop their understanding through problem solving and creativity.  Design and Technology allow students to communicate their thinking into design solutions.  Design and Technology give students the opportunity to design and make products that meet people’s needs. It is a challenging subject that enables them to:

  • Design and make quality products
  • Gain confidence
  • Develop an enquiring and open mind
  • Understand the impact of design upon our environment
  • Become resilience through problem solving
  • Develop team building skills
  • Be initiative

Year 7

Autumn

Spring

Summer

Health and Safety Introduction

Graphic Design project

Workshop skills

Introduction to CAD/CAM

Healthy Eating Food Project

 

Autumn

Spring

Summer

Staple Food Project

Electronics Project

Workshop Skills

KS4

Summary

AQA Technology 50% NEA (coursework) and 50% written exam 

Controlled Assessments s account for 50% of the marks of the course are started in the autumn term of Year 10. This is completed in December of Year 11 with interim deadlines for the final completion of sections provided by the teacher. The written exam accounts for the remaining 50% of the marks.  

 

In the Summer Term, each student will sit a formal, internal exam which will consist of all elements taught throughout the course.  Appropriate preparation in the form of revision should be taken seriously with sufficient planning and organisation to ensure each student fulfils their potential.

Summary:

Year 10 focuses on developing the skills learnt in Key stage 3 with the aim to become developed designers.

Rather than set project outcomes, pupils will be given a range of projects that change yearly which will require pupils to develop their design and prototype skills to design and realise new innovative designs.

The skills they develop will support them in the exam board NEA which is release in the summer of Year 10

 

Autumn

Spring

Summer


Bookend Project


Educational Toy Project


Development of Skills

Start of NEA

 

Summary:

The focus in the Year 11 is to complete the NEA set by the exam board. This will often involve the competition of high level practical with a supporting professional portfolio.

After the completion of the NEA which is 50% of the final grade, pupils then move onto the preparation of the theory element for the summer exam.

 

Autumn

Spring

Summer

NEA focus

Completion of NEA and theory

Preparation for the summer exam

Design and Technology Product design allow pupils to gain the practical skills, theoretical knowledge and confidence to succeed in a number of careers. Especially those in the creative industries.

Pupils investigate historical, social, cultural, environmental and economic influences on design and technology, whilst enjoying opportunities to put their learning in to practice by producing prototypes of their choice.

Pupils gain a real understanding of design processes, alongside the knowledge and skills sought by higher education and employers.

AQA Technology: Product Design is 50% NEA (coursework) and 50% written exam, divided into 2 papers. Paper 1 worth 30% and paper 2 worth 20%.

 

Controlled Assessments account for 50% of the marks of the course is started in the spring term of Year 12. This is completed in December of Year 13 with interim deadlines for the final completion of sections provided by the teacher. The written exam accounts for the remaining 50% of the marks (30% paper 1 and 20% paper 2).  

 

In the Summer Term, each student will sit a formal, internal exam which will consist of all elements taught throughout the course.  Appropriate preparation in the form of revision should be taken seriously with sufficient planning and organisation to ensure each student fulfils their potential.

 

Year 12

Summary:

Year 12 focuses on developing the skills learnt in Key stage 4 and gaining a real understanding of what it means to be a designer. 

During this year students focus on the following:

  • Understanding materials and their applications.
  • Testing materials, critical analysis of environmental impact of using materials.
  • Develop understanding of the performance characteristics of materials.

Prototype and model making

  • Design theory, methods and processes.
  • Technology and cultural changes.
  • Design processes in school and in the manufacturing sector.

Designing and development

  • Modern and industrial commercial practice.
  • Digital design and manufacture (CAD/CAM skills).
  • Product development and evolution.
  • Iterative design in commercial context

 

Skills developed in Year 12 are set to support pupils in the exam board NEA which is released in the summer of Year 12.

Autumn

Spring

Summer

Knowledge:

Exploring a wide variety of designer products and understanding the difference in their design inspiration, purpose, intention and design processes.

Skills:

Prototype skills, students explore a range of approaches to creating a range or prototype model.

CAD skills

Introduction to theory

 

Shipping container home project


Introduction to NEA

NEA 

 

Progression Routes:

  • All fields of design including product, 3D, Interior, fashion, textiles, footwear, exhibition, jewellery, furniture
  • All fields of engineering including civil, mechanical, automotive, aeronautical, marine, environmental, design engineering
  • TV/film sectors including set design, model making and special effects
  • Advertising and communications industry including digital marketing
  • Architecture and the built environment, town planning











Year 13

Summary:

In Year 13 pupils will focus on completing NEA and written exams.

Topics covered:

  • National and international standards in product design.
  • Forming, redistribution and addition processes of timer and metal.
  • Design for manufacturing, maintenance, repair and disposal.
  • Identifying and investigating design possibilities.
  • Developing design ideas and realising design ideas.
  • Analysing and evaluating current design trends.
  • Iterative design process as the final project for this A leve

 

Written Exam

PAPER 1

What’s assessed:

Technical principles

How its assessed:

  • Written exam: 2 hours and 30 minutes
  • 120 marks
  • 30% of A-Level

Questions:

Mixture of short answers and extended response

PAPER 2

What’s assessed:

Designing and making principles

How its assessed:

  • Written exam: 1 hour and 30 minutes
  • 80 marks
  • 20% of A-Level

 

Questions:

Mixture of short answers and extended response questions

Section A:

Product Analysis: 30 marks

Up to 5 short answer questions based on visual stimulus of product(s)

Section B:

Commercial manufacture: 50 marks

Mixture of short and extended questions

Autumn

Spring

Summer


Completing NEA

Theory, in preparation of exams

Preparation for the summer exams

 

Useful Websites:

https://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/design-and-technology/as-and-a-level/design-and-technology-product-design-7552

http://www.baddesigns.com/

http://www.dtonline.org/

http://www.dthub.net/index.html

http://www.olejarz.com/arted/perspective/

http://www.howstuffworks.com/

http://www.technologystudent.com

http://www.bsiglobal.com/Education/StudentsKS3+4/index.xalter

https://www.brainscape.com/subjects/aqa-product-design

 

Useful Apps:

  • Design & technology by J Plimmer is a good app and can be downloaded for Apple and Andriod for 79p. 
  • Plastic Guide by Bruder Consulting AB (Free to download for Apple and Andriod) 
  • iDT HD by Ray Gentleman (Free to download for Apple and Andriod) 
  • iD Cards - Loughborough Design School By Loughborough University (Free to download for Apple and Andriod)