In the sixth form we provide AS and A-Level Design & Technology specialising in Product Design. See also Career Paths and photos of a complete end-to-end major A-Level project.

The units covered over the A-Level are:

DT1: Examination Paper (2 Hours) – This paper will contain two sections which will assess candidates’ knowledge and understanding of: Designing and Innovation, Product Analysis, Materials and Components, Industrial and Commercial Practices. This exam is split into two sections. Section A requires short answers; Section B requires open-ended essay type responses.

DT2: Design & Make Task (40 Hours) – Candidates must submit one design and make task based on the initial brief of ‘Storage for a Purpose’. This piece of coursework accounts for 30% of the A-Level mark.

DT3: Examination Paper (2.5 Hours) – This paper will contain three sections. Section A and B questions require short answers and Section C questions require open-ended essay type questions. The following areas will be studied: Designing and Innovation, Product Analysis, Human Responsibility, Public Interaction, Materials and Components, Industrial and Commercial Practices, Processes and Production Systems and Control.

DT4: Major Project (60 Hours) – Candidates will undertake a single project. Each year the examination board will set eight themes for the project, though candidates may also submit their own proposals for approval. This project requires a high level of designing, manufacture and innovation.

photos: The Sixth Form developing the use of a range of tools and equipment.

Incremental improvements are an essential feature of product evolution. Identify a particular product and undertake a thorough product analysis of that product. As a result of identifying aspects for improvement, design and make a similar product with improved features.

The Olympic Games is a massive global sporting event. The games will give many opportunities for product designers to be creative and innovative either helping competitors in their preparation for the huge range of sporting activities or promoting the actual events.

Design a product or suite of products aimed at developing skills, introducing children to particular activities or promoting the 2012 Olympic Games.

Nature in design presents us with shapes, colours and forms that are inspirational in stimulating visual invention.

Utilise this philosophy to design and make a product of your choice based on your choice of natural forms.

Speed and movement are features that have always been a source of anticipation and exhilaration. Using these two themes design and make a product of your choice which demonstrates your interpretation of the themes.

Using ‘Pop-art’ or some other similar art and design movement, design and make a product that seeks to ‘amuse or deceive’.

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Career Paths

Each year students enter University Higher Education having studied Design & Technology as one of their A-Level qualifications at Y Pant, these pupils typically specialise in:

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• Engineering related Qualifications, such as Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering etc
• Product Design
• Industrial Design

• Architecture
• Graphic Design
• Art
• Design & Technology