Product Design
To be a highly achieving design technology department that consistently delivers innovative, user-centred, and sustainable product designs. We will achieve this by fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and continuous learning, while staying at the forefront of technological advancements.
Innovation: To facilitate students who will in the future work towards development of cutting-edge product designs that address unmet market needs and exceed customer expectations.
User-Centricity: To give students opportunities to learn how to use experiences throughout the design process, ensuring that our products they design are intuitive, accessible, and delightful to use.
Sustainability: To integrate sustainable practices into our design philosophy, creating products that minimise environmental impact and promote responsible consumption.
Technological Excellence: Stay abreast of emerging technologies and leverage them to enhance our design capabilities and deliver superior outcomes.
Collaboration: Foster a collaborative environment where designers, engineers, and other stakeholders work seamlessly together to achieve shared goals. To seek to Invest in the professional growth of our team members, providing opportunities for learning, mentorship, and career advancement.
Exam Board
AQA
Course Title and Syllabus
Product Design
Details of Papers
Assessment
Written Paper
- Core technical principles
- Specialist technical principles
- Designing and making principles
How it's assessed
- Written exam: 2 hours
- 100 marks
- 50% of GCSE
Section A - Core technical principles (20 marks)
- Multiple choice
- Short answers
Section B - Specialist technical principles (30 marks)
- Short answer 2-5 marks
- Extended response
Section C - Designing and making principles (50 marks)
Non-exam Assessment (NEA)
What is assessed
Practical application of:
- Core technical principles
- Specialist technical principles
- Designing and making principles
How it's assessed
- Non-exam assessment (NEA):; 30-35 hours approximately
- 100 marks
- 50% of GCSE
Substantial design and make task
Assessment criteria
- Identifying and investigating design possibilities
- Producing and design brief and specification
- Generating design ideas
- Developing design ideas
- Realising design ideas
Overview
Year 10
Theory ongoing throughout the year - Focus on Core Section A of the exam
Metals
Papers & Boards
Polymers
Systems
Fibres & Textiles
Timbers
New and emerging technologies
Energy, materials, systems and devices
Materials and their working properties
Theory Ongoing
NEA ( Non-Exam Assessed)
Contextual challenges to be released annually by AQA on 1 June in the year prior to the submission of the NEA.
Year 11
Theory ongoing throughout the year - Designing and making principles
Making principles
Revision
Practice exam questions
NEA continuation
NEA completion
Revision
Structured revision
Public Exams
