“Design is a funny word. Some people think design means how it looks. But of course, if you dig deeper, it’s really how it works.” Steve Jobs

Design affects everything we do, studying Design and Technology allows you to develop greater understanding of the effect of technology and design on the world in which we live.  It is a dynamic and evolving subject, it creates empathetic learners who have the ability to confidently critique products, situations and society in every walk of their lives now and in the future.

The A Level course is focused towards consumer products and applications, their analysis in respect of materials, components, and marketability, in order to understand their selection and uses in industrial and commercial practices of product development.

The course provides you with an opportunity to engage in both practical and theoretical study. This covers design and technology skills and knowledge across two broad areas:

• technical principles
• designing and making principles.

You will draw on and apply a range of skills and knowledge from other subject areas to inform decisions in design and the application or development of technology, demonstrating the application of maths and science skills.  You will investigate historical, social, cultural, environmental and economic influences on design and technology.  The course provides opportunities to put learning in to practice by producing prototypes of your choice related to your interests and fields you wish to study further.

The skills developed during an A Level in Design and Technology are an excellent route to degree level engineering qualifications.  It can lead to a degree and career in design disciplines including product design, industrial design, architecture, interior design and furniture design.  It could also lead to further study an HND, degree or advanced engineering or design & technology related apprenticeship, or employment where the skills you will develop are highly sought.

The course is assessed across 3 components:

Written Paper: Technical Principles – 30%

Combination of short and extended answer questions

Written exam: Designing and Making Principles – 20%

Product analysis and commercial manufacture short and extended answer questions

Non-Exam Assessment Project – 50%

Substantial design and make project to your own identified brief

For admission to A level Design & Technology, our usual minimum requirements are:

• Five GCSEs at grade 5 or above.
• Students will need to have achieved a grade 6 or above in design technology or the equivalent GCSE subject.