Design Technology

Head of Department: Mr A M Beaty

Exam board: Edexcel Qual. name: DT Product Design Qual. codes: GCE AS 8RM01, GCE A Level 9RM01

Why choose Design Technology?

The study of design technology product design seeks to develop students’ knowledge, understanding, skills and application for designing products. The subject encompasses a wide range of design disciplines but is firmly rooted in the skills required to design and make high quality products –products that are fit for purpose, satisfy wants and needs, enhance our day to day lives and give students the opportunity to demonstrate their design and technology capability.

What you will study

Lower Sixth

Unit 1 (6RM01): Portfolio of Creative Skills

In this unit students are given the opportunity to develop their creative, technical and practical skills through a series of product investigation, design and manufacturing activities.

Unit 2 (6RM02): Design Technology in Practice

In this unit students develop their knowledge and understanding of a wide range of materials and processes used in the field of design and technology. It is important for students, as designers, to learn about materials and processes so that they can develop a greater understanding of how products can be designed and manufactured.

Students will also learn about industrial and commercial practices, and the importance of quality checks and the health and safety issues that have to be considered at all times.

Upper Sixth:

Unit 3 (6RM03): Designing for the Future

In this unit students develop their knowledge and understanding of a range of modern design and manufacturing practices and contemporary design issues. The modern designer must have a good working knowledge of the use of ICT and systems and control technology in the design and manufacture of products. They must also be aware of the important contributions of designers from the past which may provide inspiration for future design. It is increasingly important that students develop an awareness of the impact of design and technological activities on the environment. Sustainable product design is a key feature of modern design practices.

Unit 4 (6RM04): Commercial Design

In this unit students are given the opportunity to apply the skills they have acquired and developed throughout this course of study, to design and make a product of their choice that comply with the requirements of a resistant materials technology product.

How you will be assessed

6RM01: Portfolio (60% of AS, 30% of A Level)

Internally marked and externally moderated coursework.

6RM02: A 90-minute written paper (40% of AS, 20% of A Level)

Short answer and extended writing-type questions.

6RM03: A two-hour written paper (20% of A Level)

Short answer and extended writing-type questions.

6RM04: Coursework (30% of A Level)

Internally marked and externally moderated coursework.

Course requirements

This course is designed to be a natural progression from GCSE Design Technology courses and it is recommended that students have achieved at least a grade B in the subject at GCSE.

Related subjects at Sixth Form

Art and Design, Business Studies, Mathematics and Physics are all suitable subjects for related study, while many of the problem-solving skills developed can be applied to other subjects.

Where could this lead?

Students who take A Level Design Technology often go on to study degrees in aeronautical engineering, art and design, biomedical materials science, electrical or electronic engineering, materials design, mechanical engineering and industrial or product design. These can, in turn, lead to careers in engineering, industrial design, graphic design, packaging technology, research, website design, project engineering, computer aided design, drafting and furniture design.

Further important information

A Level Design Technology demands commitment, consistent effort, maturity and self-discipline. The many benefits contribute greatly to preparing students for the realities of the world of work. The coursework element can be tailored to gain experience and develop knowledge in areas of specific interest to the candidate, which can be useful in supporting them to prepare for future degree level study.

Teacher of Economics: Mrs I Dawson

Exam board: AQA Qualification name: Economics Qualification codes: GCE AS 7135, GCE A Level 7136

Why choose Economics?

Every day the news carries stories that are rooted in economics. Food prices, taxes, and spending cuts alongside minimum wages, energy costs and mortgages are all part of our world. Economics helps us to understand the behaviour of the market place system which prices everything we buy from houses to coffee and from sugar to soccer players. Economics also helps us to understand more about the whole economy and how government can influence it. Inflation, unemployment, rates of exchange, the growth of our economy and international trade are all critical to our future.

What you will study

AS The operation of markets and market failure

Economic methodology and the economic problem

Price determination in a competitive market

Production, costs and revenue

Competitive and concentrated markets

The market mechanism, market failure and government intervention in markets

The national economy in a global context

The measurement of macroeconomic performance

How the macroeconomy works: the curricular flow of income, AD/AS analysis and related concepts

Economic performance

Macroeconomic policy.

A Level

Individuals, firms, markets and market failure

Economic methodology and the economic problem

Individual economic decision making

Price determination in a competitive market

Production, costs and revenue

Perfect competition, imperfectly competitive markets and monopoly

The labour market

The distribution of income and wealth: property and inequality

The market mechanism, market failure and government intervention in markets

The national and international economy

The measurement of macroeconomic performance

How the macroeconomy works: the curricular flow of income, AD/AS analysis and related concepts

Economic performance

Financial markets and monetary policy Fiscal policy and supply-side policies The international economy.

How you will be assessed

AS

Paper 1: The operation of markets and market failure

A 90-minute written paper (50% of AS)

Section A: 20 multiple choice questions worth 20 marks

Section B: data response questions requiring written answers, choice of one from two contexts worth 50 marks

Paper 2: The national economy in a global context

A 90-minute written paper (50% of AS)

Section A: 20 multiple choice questions worth 20 marks

Section B: data response questions requiring written answers, choice of one from two contexts worth 50 marks.

A Level

Paper 1: Markets and market failure

A two-hour written exam (33.3% of A Level)

Section A includes data response questions requiring written answers –candidates choose one question from two contexts (worth 40 marks).

Section B includes essay questions requiring written answers – candidates choose one from three (worth 40 marks)

Paper 2: National and international/ economy

A two-hour written exam (33.3% of A Level)

Section A includes data response questions requiring written answers –candidates choose one question from two contexts (worth 40 marks).

Section B includes essay questions requiring written answers – candidates choose one from three (worth 40 marks)

Paper 3: Economic principles and issues

A two-hour written exam (33.3% of A Level)

Section A includes multiple choice questions (worth 30 marks)

Section B contains case study questions requiring written answers (worth 50 marks).

Course requirements

A willingness to engage with current affairs and a logical mind are important, and a good grade in GCSE Mathematics often indicates the latter.

Related subjects in the Sixth Form

Politics, History, Geography, Mathematics and Business Studies often make good complementary choices.

Where could it lead?

University statistics indicate that the majority of Economics graduates obtain employment within six months of graduating. The jobs they get are many and varied, although with an emphasis on the finance sector (including banking, accountancy, tax advice, actuarial work, insurance and trading). Other roles that Economics graduates regularly go into include management, marketing, sales and advertising, human resources, IT and education.

Further important information

All work is supported by PowerPoint presentations for each topic area and by a full set of notes for each module on the student shared network. Work is extensively referenced to the real world via the excellent Tutor2U website and the wider economics news and economic blogosphere. Students attend revision conferences and are also provided with large sets of exemplar answers with a heavy emphasis on the exam techniques required for high scoring.