Product Design
Design and Technology at Wood Green school is central to developing thoughtful, imaginative and resourceful citizens of the future. We live in a rapidly changing world, through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, students develop a critical understanding of good design in daily life and the wider world. High-quality design and technology education makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth, and well-being of the nation, building resilient, reflective, creative and skilled young people.
Key Stage 3
KS3 is split into two distinct sections. Years 7 and 8 are devoted to building skills and understanding of materials and processes. Students undertake a series of design and make projects using a range of materials and techniques.
Year 7
Term 1: Desk Tidy - Students learn to be in the workshop environment, how to select and use appropriate tools and understand the working properties of timbers.
Term 2: Blockheads - Building on the skills developed in the first project, students will be encouraged to develop their technical skills creatively.
Term 3: Wooden/found object lamp - Using the skills developed over the previous projects, students will creatively engage with materials and processes.
Year 8
Term 1: Acrylic Art Deco clock – Introducing polymer materials and processes to students alongside the design process and creative problem solving.
Term 2: Acrylic Lamp – Developing students' understanding of polymer processes and adding some basic electronics to create functional products.
Term 3: Mechanical toy – Introducing mechanisms, students will experiment with mechanisms to create a functional moving sculpture.
Year 9
Through a variety of creative and practical activities, students are taught the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to engage in an iterative process of designing and making.
When designing and making, students are taught to:
Design · use research and exploration, to identify and understand user needs · identify and solve their own design problems and understand how to reformulate problems given to them · develop specifications to inform the design of innovative, functional, appealing products that respond to needs in a variety of situations.
Make · select from and use specialist tools, techniques, processes, equipment and machinery precisely, including computer-aided manufacture · select from and use a wider, more complex range of materials, components, considering their properties
Evaluate · analyse the work of past and present professionals and others to develop and broaden their understanding · investigate new and emerging technologies · test, evaluate and refine their ideas and products against a specification, considering the views of intended users and other interested groups · understand developments in design and technology, its impact on individuals, society and the environment, and the responsibilities of designers, engineers and technologists.
These skills are the foundation of Key stages 4 and 5.
Term 1: Picture frame – Developing making skills and new processes in a variety of materials.
Term 2: Passive speaker – Developing design skills to answer a design brief using a limited range of materials.
Term 3: Key ring/Bag tag – A textile–based project incorporating electronics to create a light up tag for a specific user.
Term 4: Nightlight – A CAD/CAM based project incorporating electronics to create a laser cut illuminated image designed for a specific user.
Term 5: Device charger – An electronic and mechanical project which is based in sustainable design principles to create a portable phone charger.
Term 6: Mechanical toy – Utilising the skills developed across the DT curriculum, students will design and make a complex moving mechanical sculpture based on their favourite story.
In years 10 and 12 students are taught theoretical knowledge which underpins their practical work as well as enabling them to succeed in the examined part of their course.
At GCSE students follow the AQA curriculum.
Core Principles: Taught in year 10 - Term 1 - January to Christmas
new and emerging technologies
energy generation and storage
developments in new materials
systems approach to designing
mechanical devices
materials and their working properties.
All of this section must be taught, and all will be assessed.
Specialist Technical Principles: Taught in year 10 - Term 2 – Christmas to Easter
selection of materials or components
forces and stresses
ecological and social footprint
sources and origins
using and working with materials
stock forms, types and sizes
scales of production
specialist techniques and processes
surface treatments and finishes.
Each specialist technical principle should be delivered through at least one material category or system. The categories through which the principles can be delivered are:
papers and boards
timber based materials
metal based materials
polymers
textile based materials
electronic and mechanical systems.
Designing and Making Principles: Taught in year 10 - Term 3 – Easter to Summer
Students will need to demonstrate and apply knowledge and understanding of designing and making principles in relation to the following areas:
investigation, primary and secondary data
environmental, social and economic challenge
the work of others
design strategies
communication of design ideas
prototype development
selection of materials and components
tolerances
material management
specialist tools and equipment
specialist techniques and processes.
Year 10
Term 1: Laser-cut Bluetooth speaker. Focus on CAD/CAM
Term 2: Teacher lead NEA. Focus on Investigation and Design skills
Term 3: Mini NEA – Students work independently with guidance.
Short Design and Make projects focused on specific skills or processes will be pursued in line with theory sessions.
Weekly lessons focused on Materials, Properties and Processes.
NEA begins on the 1st of June.
Year 11
NEA continues between September and March.
Theory lessons continue until study leave.
GCSE Product Design specification
At A-Level students follow the AQA curriculum.
Assessments
Paper 1
What's assessed: Technical principles
How it's assessed: Written exam: 2 hours and 30 minutes.120 marks. 30% of A-level
Questions: Mixture of short answer and extended response.
Paper 2
What's assessed: Designing and making principles
How it's assessed: Written exam: 1 hour and 30 minutes. 80 marks. 20% of A-level
Questions: Mixture of short answer and extended response questions.
Section A: Product Analysis: 30 marks. Up to 6 short answer questions based on visual stimulus of product(s).
Section B: Commercial manufacture: 50 marks. Mixture of short and extended response questions
Non-exam assessment (NEA)
What's assessed Practical application of technical principles, designing and making principles.
How it's assessed: Substantial design and make project.100 marks. 50% of A-level
Evidence Written or digital design portfolio and photographic evidence of final prototype.
3.1 Technical principles: Taught in Year 12 – September to June
3.1.1 Materials and their applications
3.1.2 Performance characteristics of materials
3.1.3 Enhancement of materials
3.1.4 Forming, redistribution and addition processes
3.1.5 The use of finishes
3.1.6 Modern industrial and commercial practice
3.1.7 Digital design and manufacture
3.1.8 The requirements for product design and development
3.1.9 Health and safety
3.1.10 Protecting designs and intellectual property
3.1.11 Design for manufacturing, maintenance, repair and disposal
3.1.12 Feasibility studies
3.1.13 Enterprise and marketing in the development of products
3.1.14 Design communication
3.2 Designing and making principles: Taught in Year 13 –September to December, break for NEA making, then March until June
3.2.1 Design methods and processes
3.2.2 Design theory
3.2.3 How technology and cultural changes can impact on the work of designers
3.2.4 Design processes
3.2.5 Critical analysis and evaluation
3.2.6 Selecting appropriate tools, equipment and processes
3.2.7 Accuracy in design and manufacture
3.2.8 Responsible design
3.2.9 Design for manufacture and project management
3.2.10 National and international standards in product design
Year 12
Term 1: Bluetooth speaker, multi-material design project
Term 2 & 3: Guided design and make project – Assisting the elderly.
Term 4: Short design and make projects focusing on specific materials or processes.
NEA preparation starts in May.
Weekly lessons focused on Materials, Properties and Processes.
Year 13
NEA continues from September until March
Theory and exam revision continues until Study leave begins
Grade 5 or above in GCSE Design and Technology (Resistant Materials, Graphic Products or Product Design). The ability to communicate to a high standard in both graphical terms and the written word is a requirement.
The course offers excellent progression from GCSE Design and Technology courses, (Resistant Materials, Graphic Products and Product Design). Advanced Level Design and Technology aims to provide an opportunity for students to develop their own creativity, capability and entrepreneurial skills; to apply knowledge and understanding to a range of technological activities and to develop critical thinking and collaborative skills. In both years, students will continue to develop their creativity, communication skills and making skills. The course has been designed to encourage candidates to take a broad view of design and technology, to develop their capacity to design and make products and to appreciate the complex relationships between design, materials, manufacture and marketing. Advanced Level Design and Technology goes well with Mathematics, Physics and Art and Design. It complements subjects such as English, History, Geography and Modern Languages. A level Product Design can lead to careers in Design, Engineering, Architecture, Applied sciences and Education.
A level Product Design specification
Updated January 2026
