Product Design

5 GCSE grades 9 to 4 including a minimum of grade 6 at GCSE Product Design

Students design, make and apply technical and practical expertise, showing innovation and enterprise whilst considering their role as responsible designers and citizens. They develop intellectual curiosity about the design and manufacture of products and systems, and their impact on daily life and the wider world. Students work collaboratively to develop and refine their ideas, responding to feedback. They will gain an insight into the creative, engineering and/or manufacturing industries and develop the capacity to think creatively, innovatively and critically through focused research and the exploration of design opportunities arising from the needs, wants and values of users and clients.

In addition, students will develop knowledge and experience of real world contexts for design and technological activity, an in-depth knowledge and understanding of materials, components and processes associated with the creation of products that can be tested and evaluated in use. This will enable them to make informed design decisions through an in-depth understanding of the management and development of taking a design through to a prototype/product.

They will be required to develop a range of skills and knowledge from other subject areas, including mathematics and science, to inform decisions in design and the application or development of technology. In addition, be able to work safely and skilfully to produce high-quality prototypes, have a critical understanding of the wider influences on design and technology, including cultural, economic, environmental, historical and social factors, develop the ability to draw on and apply a range of skills and knowledge from other subject areas, including the use of mathematics and science for analysis and informing decisions in design.

Year 12

Unit 1: Written paper 1 Written examination: 2 hours 20% of qualification 80 marks

The examination includes a mix of structured and extended writing questions assessing learners' knowledge and understanding of:

• technical principles
• designing and making principles along with their ability to:

- analyse and evaluate design decisions and wider issues in design and technology.

 

Unit 2: Design and make task Non-exam assessment: approximately 40 hours 20% of qualification 80 marks

A design and make task, based on a brief developed by the candidate, assessing the candidate's ability to:

• identify, investigate and outline design possibilities
• design and make prototypes
• analyse and evaluate design decisions and wider issues in design and technology.

The design and make task will be based within the same endorsed area as the written examination.

 

Year 13

Unit 3: Written paper 2 Written examination: 2 hours 30 minutes 30% of qualification 100 marks

Learners take a single examination in one of the following endorsed areas:

The examination includes a mix of structured and extended writing questions assessing learners' knowledge and understanding of:

• technical principles
• designing and making principles along with their ability to:
• analyse and evaluate design decisions and wider issues in design and technology.

 

Unit 4: Design and make project Non-exam assessment: approximately 60 hours 30% of qualification 100 marks

A sustained design and make project, based on a brief developed by the candidate, assessing the candidate's ability to:

• identify, investigate and outline design possibilities
• design and make prototypes
• analyse and evaluate design decisions and wider issues in design and technology.

 The design and make project will be based within the same endorsed area as the written examination.

To complete the content students will be required to work outside of the lesson time.  Students will need to be keen to promote their designing skills but also be prepared to study more of the knowledge side of the subject for the exams.

Popular careers to name a few for people with design and technology qualifications include: fashion designer, tailor, product designer, architect, software engineer, civil engineer, carpenter and furniture designer.

To speak to Mr Roe about the course and content.  To show your prior work of Design and Technology work.

An application form can be obtained from the Head of Sixth From h.potter@samuelryderacademy.co.uk . Once your application has been processed you will be invited to discuss your subject choices with the Head of Sixth Form.