Design and technology

Year 7-9

During Key Stage 3, students complete a carousel of projects, exposing them to every stage of the design process. Students explore through conducting research; they learn how to analyse the design, materials, and manufacturing processes of existing products. Students create by designing and constructing prototypes; they learn technical skills and use hand tools, machinery and computer aided design and manufacturing to bring their designs to life. Students evaluate by analysing their own projects; they develop their confidence as consumers through being critical thinkers. To complement their newfound ability to be creative, purposeful, and skilled practical workers, students are able to apply their theoretical knowledge in a tangible and visual space.

Year 10-11

The Product Design GCSE involves students in activities which develop innovation and flair. The course has no material bias; it anticipates that candidates will develop their skills through working with any appropriate material including, where and when appropriate, the use of ICT. Students will learn to deliver their thinking and design skills through the Iterative Design Challenge (coursework) that allows them to explore, create and evaluate following practices and strategies used by the creative, engineering and manufacturing industries. Students study product specifications, evaluate existing products, generate design proposals, and select appropriate materials, tools, and equipment. They learn to sketch concepts and prototype ideas. They also develop awareness of consumer requirements, develop ICT skills using computer aided design and manufacture software packages, and develop knowledge of materials and manufacturing processes. The course is an exciting opportunity for the girls that will enable them to have a greater understanding of design in the real world.
In Year 11, if you are thinking about doing engineering or a design-based degree, students can apply for the Arkwright Scholarship for support during their A Level studies.

Sixth form

The Product Design A Level focuses on consumer products and applications and their analysis in respect of materials, components, process and their selection and uses in products and/or systems. It also focuses on the selection and use of the above in industrial commercially viable products and practices. The learning approach employed, teaches students to solve problems logically, develop reasoning skills and work independently, similar to that experienced in higher education and industry. For the Iterative Design Project (coursework), students identify an engaging and challenging context of their own choice that offers design opportunity or a problem to respond to in the development of a design solution. They create a chronological portfolio of evidence in real-time as they explore, create and evaluate the project according to the iterative processes.

Each year, many students apply to study design or engineering related degrees, such as Product Design, Industrial Design, Design Engineering, Civil Engineering and Architecture.