Entry Requirements: A minimum grade 6 in GCSE Design & Technology or an interview to demonstrate competence and commitment. The freehand drawing of ideas will always be of paramount importance, however, a high level of graphical skill is not essential. | Exam Board: OCR

Design Engineering

With one of the best equipped departments of its kind in the county we are very proud to offer the opportunity to study Design & Technology Design Engineering. We are a high achieving department with an excellent track record. Design students will have a deep passion for manufacture and modelling of their own projects using a variety of methods. The course will build upon your current experience and skillset to include the following processes:

• Aluminium Sand casting
• Jewellery casting in silver
• Machining with metal late and mills
• Wood turning operations
• MIG welding and brazing
• Resing printing and fused deposition modelling
• Fibreglassing
• Electronics and control systems

Course Overview

Design Engineering covers everything you love about products that move mechanically with electronic control. We teach you how to design and develop products through extensive iterative problem solving. You will progress as a leader managing your own project work that will lead to a working prototype that you have made. You will liaise with outside agencies to seek feedback and advice on your design work to further improve functionality. Prototypes will be manufactured following CAD work, hand machining and casting. Electronic functionality is achievable through microcontrollers with a range of inputs and outputs that truly bring your products to life. Design Engineering is an exciting, fun and practical way to study that applies technical skills and knowledge. The A level covers all aspects of Science, Technology Engineering and Maths with an extensive range of related opportunities at higher education.

Conditions d'admission

With a GCSE in Design & Technology: It is expected that students have achieved a minimum of a grade 6 at GCSE level.

Without a GCSE in Design & Technology: Studying the GCSE is not a requirement for the A level but students would be expected to show a flair for sketching and making via an interview.    

Year 1

Students complete 2 challenging mini projects. These projects are designed to replicate elements of the assessed coursework that follow these practice projects. Students cover theory elements alongside practical lessons focusing on the following broad topics:

• Exploring design requirements
• The study and breakdown of existing products
• A consideration of wider issues related to design
• How to communicate design work through sketching and CAD
• Materials choices in products
• Technical exploration of mechanical and electronic systems
• Industry manufacturing methods
• Viability and testing of design solutions
• Health and Safety considerations

Year 2

• The non-examined section (coursework) starts in the February half term of Year 12 and runs through to the March of Year 13. This is worth 50% of the qualification and is recorded in a Powerpoint portfolio. Candidates identify a design problem from a context of their choice and create a portfolio of real time evidence. The focus is on iterative design of explore, create and evaluate. 
• Exam 1: Principles of Design Engineering 26.7%, 80 marks, 1 hour 30 minutes. Candidates analyse existing products, manufacturing processes and demonstrate their understanding of social, moral and environmental issues
• Exam 2: Problem solving in Design Engineering 23.3%, 70 marks, 1 hour 45 minutes. Candidates apply their knowledge of designing and manufacturing prototypes and products. They solve design problems, evaluate situations and the suitability of design solutions. 

Contact

Mr K Coxshall B.Eng [email protected]