Product Design

Design and technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. The course allows students to strengthen critical thinking and problem solving skills within a creative environment. It allows students to develop and make prototypes that solve real-world problems, considering their own and others’ needs, wants. This is a 2 year course which has both a non examined unit and theory based exam, the units have equal weighting contributing to the overall A level qualification. This qualification will excite and engage students with contemporary topics including CAD. It will create empathetic students who have the ability to confidently critique products, situations and society.

Be prepared to solve problems, be creatively minded with enthusiasm for creative thinking and pushing your own boundaries. You must be enthusiastic, prepared to really explore an idea or concept and be able to work with determination and perseverance. You will have timetabled lessons and will also be encouraged to come and use the space in your free periods, an equal amount of time is expected to be spend on your studies out of lessons as in lessons.

Year 1
Portfolio of work focussing on a Product study of your choice identifying an issue with the product.

Year 2
Portfolio of work focussing on a Design, make and evaluation of a product of your choice to meet a need which you identify yourself.

Exam
Externally assessed assignment in both years.

Students will follow a Modular Course, which involves:-
Year 12
– NEA (Non-examined Assessment) Product Development following set contextual themes – 50% – 90 marks e-portfolio (coursework – internally assessed).
– Principles of Product Design Exam (mock) 1hr 45 mins 90 marks (15% of exam requires Maths skills – Higher GCSE tier equivalent).
Year 13
– NEA Iterative Design Project 50% (Non-examined Assessment) – 100 marks – e-portfolio (coursework internally assessed).
– Principles of Product Design exam 26.7% – 1 hr 30 mins – 80 marks and Problem solving exam 23.3% – 1 hr 45 mins – 70 marks (externally assessed – 15% of exam requires Maths skills – Higher GCSE tier equivalent).

Year 1 & Year 2
All units are internally assessed at regular intervals throughout the year and externally moderated by the Exam Board.

Students will receive formative feedback throughout the course allowing them to reflect upon and refine work.

Exam
May externally assessed

This course is delivered by:
Mr P Sims
Mrs L Wood