Design & Technology – Product Design

Product Design at NSSFC develops creative, analytical and technically skilled designers who can identify problems and produce high-quality manufactured solutions.

Core strands:

  • Iterative design process

  • Materials and manufacturing

  • CAD/CAM and digital modelling

  • Technical drawing and communication

  • Evaluation and refinement

The curriculum builds from foundational knowledge and workshop competence developed at KS3 into increasingly sophisticated design and manufacturing at KS4 and KS5.

Assessment aligns to AQA Assessment Objectives. Regular QLA from mock examinations informs targeted reteaching of technical principles, command words and extended evaluation responses.

Independent learning includes sketchbook development, design refinement, CAD modelling and NEA preparation.

 

Key Stage 3

All students study Technology at KS3. Product Design knowledge and skills are developed through the carousel programme, building:

  • Workshop safety and precision

  • Timber and material properties knowledge

  • CAD foundations

  • Iterative design thinking

  • Structured evaluation

This provides the foundation required for GCSE Product Design.

Key Stage 4 – GCSE Design & Technology (AQA 8552)

Students follow the AQA GCSE Design & Technology specification.

Curriculum Structure

  • Core technical principles

  • Specialist technical principles (timber focus)

  • Designing and making principles

  • Non-Exam Assessment (NEA – 50%)

  • Written examination (50%)

The curriculum is sequenced so that Year 10 develops strong manufacturing competence and theoretical understanding, while Year 11 focuses on the NEA and examination preparation.

QLA from mock exams informs responsive teaching, particularly in materials science, maths application and extended design justification.

KS4 Curriculum Overview

Term Year 10 Year 11
Autumn 1 Train Project – Timber Manufacture NEA Context Release & Research
Autumn 2 CAD/CAM Pen Drive Project NEA Investigation & Specification
Spring 1 Technical Principles – Materials & Processes NEA Design Development
Spring 2 Designing & Making Principles NEA Prototype Manufacture
Summer 1 Mini NEA Practice NEA Refinement & Evaluation
Summer 2 Examination Preparation Examination Preparation & Bespoke Intervention

Year 11 includes structured exam revision cycles and bespoke intervention based on QLA analysis.

Sixth Form – A Level Product Design (AQA)

We offer AQA A Level Product Design.

Core Components

  • Technical principles and materials

  • Product analysis and design theory

  • Manufacturing processes and industrial practice

  • Mathematical application in design

  • Non-Exam Assessment (iterative design project)

Students undertake an extended independent design project, demonstrating advanced modelling, prototyping and evaluation skills.

Academic rigour increases significantly at KS5, with emphasis on:

  • Problem-solving through iteration

  • Complex CAD modelling

  • Analytical evaluation

  • Written technical justification

KS5 Curriculum Overview

Term Year 12 Year 13
Autumn 1 Core Technical Principles NEA Context & Research
Autumn 2 Materials & Manufacturing NEA Design Development
Spring 1 Product Analysis NEA Prototype Development
Spring 2 Design Theory & Maths Application NEA Manufacture & Testing
Summer 1 Mini Design Project Examination Preparation
Summer 2 Examination Preparation Examination Preparation & Final Submission

Literacy, Careers and Personal Development

Vocabulary
Students develop secure understanding of technical terminology including tolerance, orthographic projection, sustainability, ferrous/non-ferrous metals, polymers, iterative design and evaluation criteria.

Knowledge Organisers
Structured glossaries and technical summaries support retrieval of materials knowledge, processes and exam command words.

Careers Links
Product Design supports progression into:

  • Product and industrial design

  • Mechanical engineering

  • Architecture

  • CAD engineering

  • Manufacturing and production management

  • Apprenticeships in engineering and design

SMSC / Personal Development

Students develop:

  • Moral awareness of sustainability and environmental impact

  • Social collaboration through design critique

  • Cultural appreciation of global product design

  • Resilience and independence through iterative improvement