Design and Technology – Product Design (Year 13)
See Year 13 Design & Technology ‘Schedule of Learning’ for the 2025/26 academic year:
| Topic | Sub-topic |
|---|---|
| NEA – Criteria C | Evaluation of Initial Ideas – Against Spec + 3rd Party Feedback |
| NEA – Criteria C | Development Strategies/Iterative Design |
| NEA – Criteria C | Development Strategies/Iterative Design |
| NEA – Criteria C | Development Strategies/Iterative Design |
| NEA – Criteria C | Materials Exploration/Joining Methods/Components/Finishes |
| NEA – Criteria C | Materials Exploration/Joining Methods/Components/Finishes |
| NEA – Criteria C | Plan of Manufacture/Cutting List |
| NEA – Criteria D | Making – Measuring + Marking Out/Cutting + Shaping |
| NEA – Criteria D | Making – Measuring + Marking Out/Cutting + Shaping |
| NEA – Criteria D | Making – Cutting + Shaping/Joining Methods |
| NEA – Criteria D | Making – Cutting + Shaping/Joining Methods |
| NEA – Criteria D | Making – Joining Methods/Design Detail/Finishes |
| NEA – Criteria D | Making – Design Detail/Finishes |
| NEA – Criteria C | Working Drawings (CAD) – Isometric + Orthographic |
| NEA – Criteria D | Diary of Manufacture + Risk Assessment |
| NEA – Criteria E | Evaluation – Against Spec + 3rd Party Feedback + Modifications |
| NEA – CRF | |
| Revision | Materials and their Applications |
| Revision | Forming, Redistribution and Addition Processess |
| Revision | Finishes/QC/H&S |
Exam Board – AQA
What will you study?
Autumn
– NEA – Criteria C – Developing a design proposal (adopting and iterative approach, including CAD/CAM)
– NEA – Criteria D – Creating a working prototype – selecting appropriate tools, materials, equipment and processes
Spring
– NEA – Criteria D – Creating a working prototype – selecting appropriate tools, materials, equipment and processes, including CAD/CAM
– NEA – Criteria E – Testing, analysing, evaluating and suggesting modifications/improvements
– Technology and cultural changes – Social, moral and ethical issues
– Accuracy in manufacture
– National and International standards
– Intellectual property
Summer
– Revision + Exam prep
Useful tips and resources
How can you prepare for Design Technology in Year 13? (non-web based)
– Take an interest in the World around you – take photos of things that catch your eye and look out for design in the news.
– Visit the departmental and school libraries and explore the books and resources on offer.
– Visit the V&A and Design Museums and view the exhibitions on Design and beyond.
– Visit London Clerkenwell Design Festival.
– Visit further education institutes viewing graduate degree shows, exploring where design can take you next.
How can you prepare for Design Technology in Year 13? (web based)
BBC Bitesize https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/examspecs/zby2bdm
Technologystudent.com https://www.technologystudent.com/
Design Museum – Designer/Maker/User https://designmuseum.org/exhibitions/designer-maker-user
Seneca https://senecalearning.com/en-GB/blog/free-aqa-dt-gcse-revision/
What super curricular activities can KS5 students engage with at school for your subject?
D&T Scholars Programme – launched in 2023-24 this offers D&T Scholars the opportunity to extend their skills and knowledge and understanding of the ‘World of Design and Technology’. Pupils get the opportunity to go on enriching experiences and are also encouraged to ‘give back’ to the wider D&T community at SHS, running workshops and masterclasses for younger years.
– Smallpiece Trust Courses – engineering based courses covering a variety of fascinating topics such as Aerospace Engineering, Future Cities and Robotics.
– Springpod – Virtual Work Experience opportunities.