“Problem solving by thinking outside the box”

We take pride in the diversity of our subject and believe that we provide students with a valuable learning experience that will equip them to cope with problem solving situations in their future lives. Design & Technology offers many opportunities for creativity and innovation. We encourage this by enabling students to make design decisions, work independently and constantly challenge themselves.

In all key stages of design & technology pupils combine practical and technological skills with creative thinking to design and make products and systems that meet human needs.  They learn to use current technologies and consider the impact of future technological developments. They learn to think creatively and intervene to improve the quality of life, solving problems as individuals and members of a team.  Through design and technology pupils develop confidence in using practical skills and become discriminating users of products. They apply their creative thinking and learn to innovate.

Key Stage 3

Pupils learn and undertake activities that contribute to the achievement of the curriculum aims for all young people: In Years 7, 8 and 9 pupils experience all areas of the Design and Technology Department by completing 4/5 design and make tasks over the course of a year.  Although the emphasis of the course is on design and practical work, the underpinning theory is also embedded.

Key Stage 4

AQA GCSE Design and Technology will prepare students to participate confidently and successfully in an increasingly technological world. Students will gain awareness and learn from wider influences
on Design and Technology including historical, social, cultural, environmental and economic
factors. Students will get the opportunity to work creatively when designing and making and apply
technical and practical expertise.
This GCSE allows students to study core technical and designing and making principles, including
a broad range of design processes, materials techniques and equipment. They will also have the
opportunity to study specialist technical principles in greater depth.

Where will this qualification take me?

These qualifications are useful in progressing to A level Product Design.  This course can lead on to careers, apprenticeships or University studies in the construction, manufacturing, design and engineering sectors.

What's assessed?

This qualification is linear. Linear means that students will sit all their exams and submit all their
non-exam assessment at the end of the course.

Paper 1 is an external 2 hour examination worth 100marks and makes up 50% of the GCSE qualification. It consists of the following units:
• Core technical principles - A mixture of multiple choice and short answer questions assessing a breadth of technical
knowledge and understanding.
• Specialist technical principles - Several short answer questions (2–5 marks) and one extended response to assess a more in
depth knowledge of technical principles.
• Designing and making principles - A mixture of short answer and extended response questions.

The Non-exam assessment (NEA) is a design and make task worth 100 marks and again makes up 50% of the GCSE qualification, lasting approximately 30–35. It focuses on the same three principles found in Paper 1:
• Core technical principles
• Specialist technical principles
• Designing and making principles

Following an iterative design process, students will produce a prototype and a portfolio of evidence answering a contextual challenge set annually by the exam board.( Iterative design is a design methodology based on a cyclic process of prototyping, testing, analysing, and refining a product or process.) The following tasks will have marks are awarded holistically where they take place and not in a linear manner:

• Substantial design and make task
• Assessment criteria:
• Identifying and investigating design possibilities
• Producing a design brief and specification
• Generating design ideas
• Developing design ideas
• Realising design ideas
• Analysing & evaluating

For further information follow this link http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/design-and-technology/gcse/design-and-technology-8552

Key Stage 5

AQA GCE in 3D Product Design.

This creative and thought-provoking qualification gives students the practical skills, theoretical
knowledge and confidence to succeed in a number of careers. Especially those in the creative industries.
They will 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.
Students will gain a real understanding of what it means to be a designer, alongside the knowledge
and skills sought by higher education and employers.
We’re confident you’ll find this specification clear and easy to use, as a number of teachers and
assessment experts have helped us to produce it.

This qualification is linear. Linear means that students will sit all their exams and submit all their
non-exam assessment at the end of the course.

How will I be assessed?

Paper 1 - Technical principles
How it's assessed
• Written exam: 2.5 hours
• 120 marks
• 30% of A-level
Questions
Mixture of short answer and extended response.

Paper 2 - Designing and making principles
How it's assessed
• Written exam: 1.5 hours
• 80 marks
• 20% of A-level
Questions
Mixture of short answer and extended response questions.
Section A:
• Product Analysis: 30 marks
• Up to 6 short answer questions based on visual stimulus of product(s).
Section B:
• Commercial manufacture: 50 marks
• Mixture of short and extended response questions

Non-exam assessment (NEA)
Practical application of technical principles, designing and making principles.
How it's assessed
• Substantial design and make project
• 100 marks
• 50% of A-level
Evidence
Written or digital design portfolio and photographic evidence of final prototype.

For further information follow this link http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/design-and-technology/as-and-a-level/design-and-technology-product-design-7552