Academic
Departments
Design & Technology
Head of Department: Mr M B Brown
Will I enjoy the course?
You will enjoy this course if you want to study a subject that:
- is both creative and technical
- is relevant to the consumer
- encourages you to be a discerning consumer
- enables you to design and make products
- places an emphasis on practical work
- develops a full range of skills that will be useful in other subjects and in employment
Examination Board: Edexcel
What is D & T Resistant Materials Technology?
The aims of the course are to encourage students to:
- develop design solutions in their specific areas of interest e.g. engineering; furniture design; jewellery; product design; silversmithing;
- develop and sustain innovation, creativity and manufacturing skills, to recognise constraints and to produce high quality products;
- develop a critical understanding of the influences of the processes and products of design and technology activity from a historical perspective and in current practice;
- apply essential knowledge, understanding and skills of design production processes to a range of technological activities and develop an understanding of industrial practices;
- use Information and Communication Technology [ICT] to enhance their design and technology tasks;
- develop critical evaluation skills in technical, aesthetic, economic, environmental, social and cultural contexts;
- develop as discerning consumers able to make informed choices;
- develop positive attitudes of co-operation and citizenship and work collaboratively.
Will I enjoy the course?
You will enjoy this course if you want to study a subject that:
- is both creative and technical
- is relevant to the consumer
- encourages you to be a discerning consumer
- enables you to design and make products
- places an emphasis on practical work
- develops a full range of skills that will be useful in other subjects and in employment
Coursework
The coursework is the major part of the Design and Technology: Resistant Materials course. It accounts for 60% of the total marks.
You may decide on the project title yourself or your teacher may give you guidance.
You will be expected to produce a 3D product in a resistant material with an accompanying A3 design folder.
Examination
There will be one 1½ hour exam at the end of your course worth 40% of the total marks. The exam will be structured in the following way.
Questions 1 - 10 |
Multiple choice. |
10 marks |
Question 11 |
Knowledge and understanding of Resistant Materials Technology. |
19 marks |
Question 12 |
Designing products. |
16 marks |
Question 13 |
Analysing products. |
16 marks |
Question 14 |
Knowledge and understanding of Resistant Materials Technology. |
19 marks |
Students will be charged for materials used.
Examination Board: Edexcel
What kind of student is this course suitable for?
Edexcel’s GCE in Design and Technology: Product Design specification seeks to develop students’ knowledge, understanding, skills and application for designing products. Product Design encompasses a wide range of design disciplines but is firmly rooted in the skills required to design and make high quality products. Products that are fit for purpose, satisfy wants and needs, enhance our day-to-day lives and, most importantly, give students the opportunity to demonstrate their design and technology capability.
How will the course help me in the future?
This AS/A level can lead to further study in a variety of areas. It is useful as a qualification to gain entrance into engineering and design based courses such as architecture; art and design; electrical and electronic engineering; material science; general and mechanical engineering and teacher training. Design and Technology: Product Design complements a variety of subjects and is useful in developing creative skills.
What will I learn?
This qualification emphasises two key factors — creativity and sustainability. We all want students to explore ideas of originality and value, to question and challenge, to envisage what could be, but equally we need them to achieve the results that will progress their careers. The qualification structure allows students to develop a range of skills and outcomes at Advanced Subsidiary (AS) which demonstrate their creativity and apply these to a design and make project at A2. Good design is vital to our world and economy, it is important, therefore that we enthuse young designers with a passion for designing their futures.
Year 12 AS Course
Unit 1:
Portfolio of Creative Skills 6RM01 – 60% of the total marks for AS – internally assessed
In this unit students are given the opportunity to develop their creative, technical and practical skills through a series of product investigation, design and manufacturing activities. Students will produce one portfolio with three distinct sections which will demonstrate their creativity and flair when investigating, designing and making product(s). Different products will be chosen for each of the three distinct sections as students are not being asked to carry out one large design and make exercise but three smaller and more focused tasks which build up to provide a detailed portfolio of their skills. This unit has been designed to be as flexible as possible, offering students a wide range of valid approaches in producing their portfolio of creative skills. Students are encouraged to be as creative as possible and there are no barriers to choices of product investigation, product design or product manufacture, as long as the work submitted by students targets assessment criteria effectively and at the correct level of response for their abilities.
Assessment: This unit is internally set and marked by the centre and externally moderated by Edexcel. The student will produce one portfolio that contains evidence for all three distinct sections. It is important that all stages of the manufacturing process are photographed in order to evidence that the product is complete, expertly made, well finished etc.
Unit 2:
Design and Technology in Practice 6RM02 – 40% of the total marks for AS – externally assessed.
In this unit students will develop a knowledge and understanding of a wide range of materials and processes used in the field of design and technology. It is important for students, as designers, to learn about materials and processes so that they can develop a greater understanding of how products can be designed and manufactured. Students will also learn about industrial and commercial practices, and the importance of quality checks and the health and safety issues that have to be considered at all times.
Assessment: 1 hour 30 minute examination set and marked by Edexcel. The paper will be a question and answer booklet, consisting of short-answer and extended-writing type questions, all of which are compulsory.
Year 13 A2 Course
Unit 3:
Designing for the Future 6RM03 – 40% of the total marks for A2 – externally assessed
In this unit students will develop their knowledge and understanding of a range of modern design and manufacturing practices and contemporary design issues. The modern designer must have a good working knowledge of the use of ICT and systems and control technology in the design and manufacture of products. They must also be aware of the important contributions of designers from the past which may provide inspiration for future design. It is increasingly important that students develop an awareness of the impact of design and technological activities on the environment. Sustainable product design is a key feature of modern design practices. Assessment: 2 hour examination paper set and marked by Edexcel. The paper will be a question and answer booklet, consisting of short-answer and extended-writing type questions, all of which are compulsory.
Unit 4:
Commercial Design 6RM04 – 60% of the total marks for A2 – internally assessed.
In this unit students are given the opportunity to apply the skills they have acquired and developed throughout this course of study, to design and make a product of their choice that comply with the requirements of a resistant materials technology product. In order to reach high attainment levels, students must adopt a commercial design approach to their work, reflecting how a professional designer might deal with a design problem and its resolution. The choice of design problem should have a real commercial use, in that it should be useful to a wider range of users beyond an individual, unless it has been specifically commissioned as a ‘one-off’. The design problem should provide opportunities for a client or user-group to have input into decision making at various stages of the design and make process. A client or user-group is defined as any third party identified by a student, that is referred to and who can give informed critical feedback at various stages throughout the design process. A key feature of this unit is that students consider issues related to sustainability and the impact their product may have on the environment. A student may choose to design and make a sustainable product, but if they do not, they should still consider the issues of sustainability at relevant points in their designing and making activities. Sustainable issues include materials production and selection, manufacturing processes, use of the product and its disposal/recycling.
Assessment: This unit is internally set and marked by the centre and externally moderated by Edexcel. Students are given the opportunity to design and make a product of their choice. This unit results in the development of an appropriate product supported by a design folder. It is important that all stages of the manufacturing process are photographed in order to evidence that the product is complete, expertly made, well finished etc.
