Specification: https://www.eduqas.co.uk/media/kclpvixc/a-level-design-and-technology-specification.pdf

Component 1: Design and Technology in the 21st Century

Written examination: 3 hours

50% of qualification

The examination includes a mix of structured and extended writing questions assessing learners' knowledge and understanding of:

∙ technical principles

∙ designing and making principles

along with their ability to analyse and evaluate wider issues in design and technology.

Component 2: Design and make project.

Non-exam assessment: approximately 80 hours

50% of qualification

A sustained design and make project, based on a brief developed by the candidate, assessing the candidate's ability to:

∙ identify, investigate and outline design possibilities.

∙ design and make prototypes.

∙ analyse and evaluate design decisions and outcomes, including for prototypes made by themselves and others.

The design and make project will be based within the same endorsed area as the written examination.

Introduction to the course

Practical Project

-Manufacturing skills boards

Design Projects

-Chair project

-Shelter project

-Non-exam assessment (50% of final A Level grade)

Theory units:

-Design for maintenance

-Ergonomics and anthropometrics

-Quantitative and qualitative measures

-User centred design

-CAD/CAM

-Timbers/Polymers/Metals/Composites/Modern materials

-Product life cycle

-Industrial manufacturing methods

Non-exam assessment focus until Feb half term (50% of final A Level grade)

Theory units:

-Designing and innovation

-Materials and components

-Processes

-Industrial and commercial practice

-Product analysis and systems

-Human responsibility

-Public interaction

File Organisation

Essential Equipment

Sketch pad - informal project work

Google Slides - formal project work

Folder

-Class notes

-Revision materials

-Practice papers

Sketch pad

Drawing equipment

Calculator

Unit 1: Visual Recording and Communication

External  assessed

• A task set and marked by Pearson and taken under supervised conditions.
• Learners will be given a theme and a task in order to prepare a response before a supervised assessment period
• The supervised assessment period is a maximum of three hours and can be arranged over a number of sessions in a period timetabled by Pearson.
• Portfolio evidence.

• AO1 Understand how recording is used to communicate visually in the work of others
• AO2 Demonstrate understanding of visual communication through exploration and application of different methods of recording
• AO3 Demonstrate ability to record to communicate intentions
• AO4 Evaluate visual recording and communication skills

Unit 2: Critical and Contextual Studies in Art and Design

External  assessed

• A task set and marked by Pearson and taken under supervised conditions.
•  Learners are provided with a brief (Part A) four weeks before a supervised assessment period in order to carry out research.
• Learners will be provided with monitored research sessions of three hours scheduled by the centre to produce materials that can be used in the Part B supervised assessment.
• The supervised assessment period (Part B) is undertaken in a single session of three and a half hours timetabled by Pearson.

• AO1 Be able to apply an effective investigation process to inform understanding of creative practitioners
• AO2 Demonstrate the ability to visually analyse the work of creative practitioners
• AO3 Demonstrate understanding of how contextual factors relate to creative practitioner’s work
• AO4 Communicate independent judgments demonstrating understanding of the work of creative practitioners

Unit 3: The Creative Process

Internally assessed

In this unit you will:

• Understand the stages and activities within the creative process 
• Experiment with the stages and activities within the creative process to develop own working practice
• Apply stages and activities within the creative process to develop own art and design work
• Review how use of the creative process developed own art and design practice.

Unit 15: Fashion Materials, Techniques and Processes

Internally assessed

Or

Unit 14: Textile Materials, Techniques and Processes

In this unit you will:

Unit 15

A:Explore fashion materials, techniques and processes

B:cApply fashion materials, techniques and processes to a brief

C:Review use of fashion materials, techniques and processes.

Unit 14

A: Explore textile materials, techniques and processes

B: Apply textile materials and processes to a brief

C: Review own use of textile materials, techniques and processes

Lower 6th

Upper 6th

Complete Unit 1: Visual Recording and Communication

Complete Unit 15/14: Fashion Materials, Techniques and Processes

Complete Unit 2: Critical and Contextual Studies in Art and Design

Complete Unit 3: The Creative Process

Internally assessed

File Organisation

Essential Equipment

All of your assessed work will be submitted using sketchbooks and portfolio evidence this will can also be in a digital format.

You can keep a sketchbook/ sample book of notes and physical samples to aid with planning. This will include technical, construction and decorative processes, terminology & further reading.

Art materials e.g Water colours, pastels, pencils crayons , inks

Display board, calico fabric, sample fabrics, fabric dyes, threads etc. 

Will be provided

You will need to buy:

• Sketchbook A3 sizes
• Sketchbook / notebook A5 or A4
• Drawing pencils, 
• Fine liner
• Sewing kit
• Specific fabrics & components will need to be purchased for main pieces of work.

Sewing kit will be available to buy from school