Design and Technology

Curriculum Intent

In Design Technology, our curriculum intent aims:

  • To provide a curriculum that inspires creativity, innovation and resilience. Units of knowledge will:
  • Investigate where materials come from and their properties.
  • Engage in an iterative process of designing and making to meet the user’s needs within a context.
  • Develop understanding of past and present designers, social, moral, environmental and cultural influences.

By the end of their journey at Christ the King, students will be equipped to progress onto further education and a professional career within the design industry.

Curriculum Plan

AS & A Level Design Technology Curriculum Plan

Course Overview

AQA A-level Design and Technology: Product Design requires students to engage in both practical and theoretical study. This specification requires students to cover design and technology skills and knowledge as set out below:

  • technical principles
  • designing and making principles.

The Product Design A-level is a balance between creative design and design theory. The substantial creative project element allows you to steer the direction of your work down a more graphical route or a more 3D resistant materials route depending on your preference.

The course is challenging, thought-provoking, stimulating and fast-moving, as you balance developing an understanding of design theory alongside the demands of creative project work where elements of the theory are applied.

Year 12 – Theoretical knowledge

Year 13 – Independent NEA portfolio

Assessment

Non-exam assessment (NEA)

Independent project – practical application of technical principles and design and making skills – 50%

Written examinations

Paper 1: Technical principles – 30%

Paper 2: Design and making principles – 20%

Exam Board Information

A-level Design and Technology: Product Design

Future Steps

This creative and thought-provoking qualification gives students the practical skills, theoretical knowledge and confidence to succeed in a number of careers. Especially those in the creative industries.

A qualification in Product Design can lead to a number of career options and further degree courses including;

Architecture

Product Design

Furniture Design

Design for film and television