Product Design

Course Content

Designing and making tasks, improving key skills and building on skills learnt at GCSE. There is a 10% weighting on Maths and Science on this course, so lessons will be dedicated to this.

In Year 12 pupils will study a range of min projects which focus on one of the key areas.
Dedicated theory lessons will complement the projects and specialist exam revision and study skills lessons are delivered to help pupils with exam technique.

Lesson Structure

Formal teaching, small group work, practical work, problem solving tasks, research, designing, making and theory lesson.

Assessment Pattern

Examinations

Paper 1 – Technical Principles
Written exam, 2.5 hours, 30% of A level, 120 marks
Mixture of short answers and extended responses

Paper 2 – Designing and Making Principles
Written exam 1.5 hours, 20% of A level, 80 marks
Mixture of short answer and extended response questions

Section A – Product Analysis
30 marks, up to 6 short answers based on visual stimulus of product(s)

Section B – Commercial Manufacture
50 marks, mixture of short and extended style questions

Non-exam Element (Coursework)
Practical Application of technical principles, design and making principles and specialist knowledge. How is it assessed?
Substantial design and make task. 100 marks, 50% of A level

Evidence

Written or digital design portfolio and photographic evidence of final prototype.

Extra Information

Students will need to be creative, open-minded with good observational and analytical skills and show dexterity and an enjoyment of working with materials.

This is a very demanding course and with this qualification you can go on to Higher Education leading to a wide choice of careers e.g. Engineering, Design, Manufacturing, Teaching, Architecture, Construction, etc.