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Design & Technology - Product Design

“Strive for perfection in everything you do. Take the best that exists and make it better. When it does not exist, design it.”

Sir Henry Royce

A Level Design & Technology

A Level Design & Technology blends curiosity, creativity, and problem-solving to develop solutions for real-world challenges. If you’re imaginative, hands-on, and technically minded—with a passion for exploring complex issues and creating user-focused designs—then A Level Design & Technology could be the perfect subject for you.

Why choose this course?

This course focuses on identifying problems and designing and manufacturing effective solutions. You’ll enjoy it if you are creative, practical, organised, and motivated. Do you notice ways to improve people’s lives or everyday products? Are you curious about sustainability, how things work, and how they’re made? If so, this course is for you.

 

Course Outline

A Level Design and Technology – Product Design
AS and A Level Design and Technology | Eduqas

The A Level is split into two sections:

  • Written Exam (50%)
    A three-hour written exam, sat at the end of Year 13, is worth 50% of the qualification. Students are assessed on Design and Technology in the 21st Century (theory topics outlined below).

  • Design and Make Project (50%)
    The remaining 50% is based on a comprehensive design and make task. Students create their own design context and spend around 80 hours producing a detailed design portfolio and practical outcome that solves their chosen problem.

In Year 12, students complete a series of mini-projects to explore a range of design and make activities. These projects develop modelling, CAD/CAM, graphical, and practical skills. Around Easter of Year 12, students begin developing their own context for the NEA (Non-Exam Assessment), which is completed by March of Year 13. The remainder of the course is spent fully preparing for the written exam.

Theory Topics

Students will be taught the following theoretical topics, which will be assessed in the written exam:

  • Designing & Innovation

  • Materials & Components

  • Processes

  • Industrial & Commercial Practice

  • Product Analysis & Systems

  • Human Responsibility & Public Interaction

The course also includes mathematical elements, which are assessed in the theory exam.

Skills You Will Learn

Analytical skills developed include research, creative problem-solving, idea testing and evaluation, project management, and theoretical understanding of material properties and manufacturing processes.

Practical skills gained cover design thinking, idea generation, sketching, modelling, and a broad range of making techniques. In the first year, you’ll learn to use all workshop equipment and explore CAD/CAM technologies.

Cost

There is no cost to study the course. However, we ask students for a small contribution towards materials used in Year 12 and a proportion of the cost of the final NEA manufacture.

Outcomes

We pride ourselves on knowing our students and working closely with parents to provide a caring environment in which students can succeed and progress to their next steps. Results are historically very strong, with practical outcomes that are both varied and innovative.

Progression

Students can progress to higher education in areas such as Product Design, Engineering, Interior Design, Architecture, CAD Design, and many more. Others choose to pursue apprenticeships or employment within related industries.

Enrichment Opportunities

We have strong links with local manufacturing companies, including ABT and Haigh. We aim to run a variety of trips in Year 12, prior to the start of the NEA, to broaden students’ perspectives and strengthen their subject knowledge.

Teaching Staff

Mr J. Nieuwoudt – Head of Faculty
📧 DandT@jkhs.org.uk

Mr J. Morgan – Subject Lead, Design and Technology

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