Design & Technology Product Design

Sir John Lawes School

01582760043

Manland Way, Harpenden, AL5 4QP

Course summary

A Level Product Design is a full immersion in all aspects of the design industry. You will be expected to independently project manage a range of exciting and relevant design assignments – seeing each one through to completion. In Year 13, you will choose your own context, client and product for your NEA. You are expected to have a keen interest in either design, engineering, architecture or innovation. This is a challenging course with a focus on high quality manufacture, detailed understanding of the iterative design process and an in depth knowledge of industrial and commercial practices. You need commitment and enthusiasm for this area of study. You have to be able to work on your own on projects which can last for extended periods. This requires a positive attitude, self-motivation and a high degree of initiative. One of the projects students undertake in Y12 is set by an external commercial practice, the best project in this task is awarded a week’s work experience with the practice and the SJL Young Designer of the Year award. Students studying A Level Product Design in Year 12 are taught by two specialist teachers and will also have supervised access to the design rooms and workshops during your non-contact time. The course will give you the opportunities to: - Be innovative and develop your creativity to produce very high-quality products - Provide opportunity to apply mathematical, scientific and artistic skills and knowledge to real situations - Study both products and manufacturing processes from both an historical perspective and in currentpractice - Develop knowledge, understanding and skills of industrial practices - Use sophisticated software to enhance your Design and Technology capability - Develop critical thinking, problem solving and collaborative skills

Entry Requirements

Checked against your grades — every rule traces to the school's published source.

Published entry requirements compared with your results
Requirement	Rule	You
Average point score	Minimum average point score of 4.5	—

Source not yet verified

As published by the school

You would normally be expected to have achieved a grade 6 or above in GCSE Design and Technology, as well as an APS of 4.5 or above. Maths represents 15% of the Product Design final exam paper. Students achieving less than a grade 6 in GCSE Maths are expected to study Enrichment Mathematics Support.