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Queen Elizabeths Grammar School

Design Technology (Product Design) A Level

Queen Elizabeths Grammar School

Abbey Place, FAVERSHAM, ME13 7BQ

GCE A/AS Level or Equivalent
Level 3
Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies

Available start dates

Available start dates

Sunday, 01 September 2024
Queen Elizabeths Grammar School
2 Year(s)
Full time
Daytime/working hours
<p>There will be a charge for trips/visits etc.</p>

Application Instructions

APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED FOR SEPTEMBER 2026 ENTRY.

Entry Requirements - Please follow the link and download our Options Guide to view the entry requirements for Sixth Form and individual subjects https://www.queenelizabeths.kent.sch.uk/learning/sixth-form/thinking-about-joining-queen-elizabeths-grammar-school-for-sixth-form/

How to Apply -

Internals - Google Form - Speak to Mr Cowlam or Mrs Gossling

Externals - Through Kent Choices

https://www.queenelizabeths.kent.sch.uk/learning/sixth-form/applying-to-the-sixth-form/

You must select a minimum AND maximum of 5 subject choices:

Option A - 3 main subject choices* + an enhancement subject choice** + a reserve subject choice***

Option B - 4 main subject choices + a reserve subject choice

*a main subject choice is a full A Level subject e.g Mathematics/Geography/Physics/German etc
** an enhancement subject choice is either EPQ, Maths in Context or Trinity Acting Exams
***a reserve choice can be either a full A Level or another enhancement option

Course Summary

Design Technology: Product Design

A Level - 2 year course

Examination Board: Edexcel



Course Details

Skills that will be developed:

Design Technology is a practical and valuable subject. It enables young people to actively contribute to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of themselves, their community and their nation. It teaches how to take risks and so become more resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable. Students develop a critical understanding of the impact of design and technology on daily life and the wider world. Additionally, it provides excellent opportunities for students to develop and apply value judgements of an aesthetic, economic, moral, social, and technical nature both in their own designing and when evaluating the work of others.

What will you learn?

During year 12 students will develop a range of skills in design and manufacturing alongside all relevant theory needed for the exam. Year 13 will consist of one independent design and make task (Component 2), where students will work with industry experts, and one exam which covers the principles of Design Technology.

Component 1 - Exam 2.5 hour exam

120 marks (50% of qualification)

Topics

  • Materials
  • Performance characteristics of materials
  • Processes and techniques
  • Digital technologies
  • Factors influencing the development of products
  • Potential hazards and risk assessing
  • Features of manufacturing industries
  • Designing for maintenance and the cleaner environment
  • Current legislations
  • Information handling, modelling and forward planning
  • Further processes and techniques
Component 2 - Coursework (50% of qualification)
  • Independent design and make task

Students will produce a substantial design, make and evaluate project which consists of a portfolio and a prototype
There are four parts to the assessment covering the identification of a design problem, developing the design, making the prototype and evaluating both the design and the final prototype.

Enrichment

Trips (where possible) to the Design Museum, New Designers Exhibition, lectures, local industry as well as an annual residential trip to Amsterdam in year 12. Students are encouraged to study the subject outside the classroom environment following the world of design through social media, design publications and news. The department encourages students to enter competitions at local, regional, national and international level with great success, boosting the students’ personal statements and real world experience.

How will it be delivered and assessed?

Component 1 - exam

Component 2 - Design and Make task (coursework)

Entry requirements

You must achieve a grade 6 or better in a Technology GCSE. If Technology was not studied at GCSE, you must have a 6 in a similar creative subject.

Your next steps...

What happens when you have finished?

A high percentage of our Product Design students continue into a career in design and engineering. There are over 600 degree and other FE courses available. Careers include: product design, industrial design, architecture, graphic design, media design, multimedia design, CAD/CAM engineers, transport design, animation, and many others – it’s an exciting, fast moving and growing industry.

Suggested link subjects

You could take this course with other advanced level courses such as Art and Design, Physics, Maths, or Computer Science to prepare for Higher Education in areas of design, technology, engineering, architecture or a more general Higher Education course.

For more courses like this, check our courses page.