Design Technology

The department has a long-standing record of success in examinations as well as in regional and national competitions and pupils in Year 11 regularly achieve Arkwright Scholarships to continue the subject at AS and A Level. Liverpool College GCSE and A Level DT pupils were the first in Merseyside to achieve gold level CREST (Creative Science and Technology) awards and their work has been exhibited at Imperial College, London. Pupils studying A level are often entered in the regional finals of the Young Engineer of Great Britain competition and have reached the national finals and been runners up in the north west of England finals where also a GCSE team won their section. A team of L6th pupils won a prize of a European tour following success in a national design competition and another L6th team won commendations of excellence from BP for their designs for disabled children.

The activities in our scheme of work allow for continuity and progression which aim to stretch the able while, at the same time, encourage the less able to do their best. The skills of design, communication, discrimination and manufacturing are developed through a wide range of activities and projects. These are designed to help the pupils develop appropriate knowledge and understanding of technological concepts relating to materials, control and energy involving electronics, mechanisms and structures. Pupils are given the opportunity to work with a wide range of materials and processes

Work at examination level enables pupils to identify and pursue design problems in greater depth, ranging from the expressive to the technological. Pupils develop a knowledge base in a wide variety of areas that are interwoven into all aspects of Design and Technology activity. Pupils can also make use of a range of graphic techniques to enhance the visual presentation as well as the accuracy and quality of their work. These include computer aided design, computer image generation and desk top publishing.

GCSE

Specification AQA (4562)
Controlled Assessment 60%
Examination 40%

GCSE Design and Technology moves with the rate of technological change so that you are developing products that solve real problems that affect us all both now and in the future. The subject involves an exciting mixture of practical and theory, and the assessment comprises the Design and Make Controlled Assessment and a written examination.

All the practical work that is undertaken builds upon the groundwork laid down during Years 7 through 9. You will be encouraged to make use of a range of graphic techniques to enhance the visual presentation as well as the accuracy and quality of your work. These include computer aided design (2D and 3D) and desk top publishing. To develop your skills, you will complete a number of practically-based tasks in a group and as an individual during the first term in Year 10. The Controlled Assessment begins after the first term in Year 10 and is completed in the February of Year 11. The awarding authority provides a wide range of contexts and tasks from which to choose, and you base your work on one of these tasks. The final product should be innovative, creative and original, and it should demonstrate your knowledge and skills by using a number of manufacturing processes, including CAD/CAM, as well as using materials appropriately.

The theory element of the course is taught during Year 10. A working knowledge of woods, metals, plastics and composite materials will be required, but the uses of other materials will be considered. The use of new technologies in all products is explored and the need to consider sustainability and environmental impact features strongly in the course. You will develop a knowledge base in a wide variety of areas including materials, manufacturing techniques and processes, energy, control, mechanisms, structures and Computer Aided Design and Manufacture (CAD/CAM). The examination takes place at the end of the year and there is an opportunity to re-sit should you not achieve your optimum grade.

A Level Design Technology: Product Design

Course: GCE Product Design: Resistant Materials Technology (9080)
Codes: Unit 1: 6RM01 Unit 2: 6RM02 Unit 3: 6RM03 Unit 4: 6RM04
http://www.edexcel.com/quals/gce/gce08/dt/product/Pages/default.aspx

If you are considering A Level Design and Technology, ask yourself these questions and read on:

Can I apply knowledge from D&T and other subjects to solve problems?
Do I like creating products that will potentially have an impact on society?
Am I thinking of pursuing a career in Engineering, Product Design, Surveying, Stage Set Design or Architecture?
Will I probably achieve a good GCSE grade in Design and Technology?
Do I prefer an even balance of coursework and examination assessment?

This is a recently revised action-packed A Level course which follows on from GCSE Design and Technology: Resistant Materials or Product Design. It allows the pupils to use the excellent facilities in the D&T Department to develop their products whilst increasing their knowledge base in a variety of areas.

Course Content AS:

Unit 1: Portfolio of Creative Skills
This unit allows the pupils to develop their creative, technical and practical skills through a series of product investigation, design and manufacturing activities. They will produce one portfolio with three distinct sections that demonstrate their ability in each activity.
Unit 2: Design and Technology
In this unit pupils will develop a knowledge and understanding of a wide range of materials and processes used in the field of design and technology. They will also learn about industrial and commercial practices, quality assurance and health and safety. The knowledge acquired by studying this unit can be applied to Unit 1. /


Course Content A2:

Unit 3: Designing for the Future
This unit enables pupils to develop their knowledge and understanding of modern design and manufacturing practices, contemporary design issues, design eras and key designers as well as focussing on sustainable product design.
Unit 4: Commercial Design
This unit consists of a 'Design and Make' activity. Pupils identify a client or user group from which they must design and make a product that meets the original need. A wide range of materials and processes may be used during this activity.

Assessment:

AS Unit 1 Portfolio of Creative Skills Coursework 60% 30%
AS Unit 2 Design and Technology External Exam 40% 20%
In Practice 90 min. paper
A2 Unit 3 Designing for the Future External Exam 40% 20%
2 hour paper
A2 Unit 4 Commercial Design Coursework 60% 30%

Opportunities:
The Department is open every day during lunch and after school (Monday to Thursday) for pupils to develop their products and to receive help for the theory examination, particularly in the Summer term. We organise a Sixth Form DT trip to London every other year which is action packed and follows much of the syllabus content. The College currently has one Arkwright Scholar, a national scholarship sponsored by all the major national companies, to assist budding engineers.

Questions:
If you have any questions about the course please send an email to pcartwright@liverpoolcollege.org.uk or if you would like to look at course in more detail you can visit this website link:

http://www.edexcel.com/quals/gce/gce08/dt/product/Pages/default.aspx

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