Page 30 - Sixth Form prospectus 2020

COURSE DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY:

TITLE PRODUCT DESIGN

Grade 5 or above in a DT GCSE subject. If you have not previously
SPECIFIC ENTRY studied one of these subjects at GCSE, grade 5 or above in GCSE

REQUIREMENTS maths and English language will be required. You need good
practical workshop skills and an interest in the design of products.
The subject builds on the experience gained in either GCSE design
& technology or engineering and allows you to further your

studies through various design and make activities, covering a
wide range of materials and processes, including extensive use of
CONTENT OF CAD/CAM. Year 12 involves developing both your design and
practical making skills, through a number of small projects,
COURSE
alongside learning about commercial processes. Year 13 is mostly
spent on one substantial design and make project of your own
choice, allowing you to focus on your particular career direction,

such as an engineering based project or an aesthetic design based
project.
Paper 1: technical principles. 2½ hours, 30% of the A level.
EXAMINATIONS
Paper 2: design and making principles. 1½ hours, 20% of the A
AND level.

ASSESSMENTS The NEA is a substantial design and make project worth 50% of the
A level.

This course is a natural progression from GCSE design & technology as
well as GCSE engineering. Students tend to link it with A level art for
design based careers or with A level maths and physics for engineering
careers. Career opportunities include any design or engineering based
university course, such as design for industry, 3D product design,
graphic design and furniture design, as well as mechanical, transport,
architectural and aeronautical engineering. Universities also recognise
SKILLS, LINKS
design & technology as a good qualification for many other courses as
AND well as those which are purely design related, because the coursework

PROGRESSION undertaken provides students with evidence of all key skills, and shows
their ability to problem solve and manage a large project. The NEA
coursework portfolio often forms the basis of interviews.
Increasingly, apprenticeship providers prefer students to apply at 18,
after doing A levels, and more students are now applying for higher
apprenticeships. This subject therefore provides a good grounding in
general practical and design skills and the project undertaken is often
the reason why students gain an apprenticeship over other candidates.

Head of Technology: Mrs H Winskill
CONTACT
helenwinskill@keswick.cumbria.sch.uk