The A Level course is a natural progression from GCSE and will help students to recognise design needs and develop an understanding of how global issues and the latest technologies have an impact on the world around them. You will be expected to practice and develop your own style and research strategies. You will design and make products that are fit for purpose, satisfy wants and needs, and enhance our day-to-day lives, and most importantly, give you the opportunity to demonstrate your design and technology capability. Through contextual challenges you will have the freedom to take design risks and innovate in a situation where it is safe to test and refine ideas. You will be taken through a cycle of iterative design to put the theory you learn along the way into practice on a real design, make and evaluate project. In AS, the contextual challenge will be set by us, but at A level you will be encouraged to independently identify a real world design problem to solve.
Students will be at a significant advantage if they have studied a Design Technology subject at GCSE. A large proportion of the assessment is written, and therefore a Grade 5 in English is desirable. You will be required to research and develop design solutions independently. Strong self-motivation is very important and the key to success in Product Design.
Component 1: Principles of Design and Technology – written examination (50%) Topics Materials Performance characteristics of materials Digital technologies Factors influencing the development of products Effects of technological developments Potential hazards Features of manufacturing industries Designing for maintenance and the cleaner environment Current legislation Information handling, modelling and forward planning Further processes and techniques Component 2: Independent Design and Make Project – examined assessment (50%) You will undertake a small-scale design, make and evaluate project in response to a realistic contextual challenge, taking into account the needs and wants of the user. The project consists of a portfolio and prototype.
About Education Provider
| Region | West Midlands |
| Local Authority | Solihull |
| Ofsted Rating | Good |
| Gender Type | Co-Educational |
| Address | Chelmsley Road, Chelmsley Wood, Birmingham, B37 5GA |
The A Level course is a natural progression from GCSE and will help students to recognise design needs and develop an understanding of how global issues and the latest technologies have an impact on the world around them. You will be expected to practice and develop your own style and research strategies. You will design and make products that are fit for purpose, satisfy wants and needs, and enhance our day-to-day lives, and most importantly, give you the opportunity to demonstrate your design and technology capability. Through contextual challenges you will have the freedom to take design risks and innovate in a situation where it is safe to test and refine ideas. You will be taken through a cycle of iterative design to put the theory you learn along the way into practice on a real design, make and evaluate project. In AS, the contextual challenge will be set by us, but at A level you will be encouraged to independently identify a real world design problem to solve.
Students will be at a significant advantage if they have studied a Design Technology subject at GCSE. A large proportion of the assessment is written, and therefore a Grade 5 in English is desirable. You will be required to research and develop design solutions independently. Strong self-motivation is very important and the key to success in Product Design.
Component 1: Principles of Design and Technology – written examination (50%) Topics Materials Performance characteristics of materials Digital technologies Factors influencing the development of products Effects of technological developments Potential hazards Features of manufacturing industries Designing for maintenance and the cleaner environment Current legislation Information handling, modelling and forward planning Further processes and techniques Component 2: Independent Design and Make Project – examined assessment (50%) You will undertake a small-scale design, make and evaluate project in response to a realistic contextual challenge, taking into account the needs and wants of the user. The project consists of a portfolio and prototype.