We offer courses in the following:
- GCSE OCR Product Design
- BTEC First Award in Construction and the Built Environment
- BTEC First Award in Engineering
Level 1 / 2 BTEC First Award in Construction and the Built Environment
Exam Board: Edexcel
The BTEC First Award in Construction is a work-related qualification reflecting the knowledge, skills and understanding required in all aspects of the construction sector.
The course provides education and training in craft, technical and operative areas that are directly relevant to the changing needs of construction employees, employers and professions and an understanding of the key issues of sustainability and health, safety and welfare in the construction industry. Students will develop a range of skills and techniques, personal qualities and attitudes essential for successful performance in working life.
The course combines both theory and practical lessons and also will incorporate study through texts, discussion, and off-site visits and homework.
Key Stage 4 BTEC Homework tasks will be completed in the Spring and Summer term in Year 10 and Autumn and Spring term in Year 11. Students will complete tasks every fortnight to extend knowledge and understanding of key topics that will aid in achieving the best outcome in their externally assessed Unit test.
The course consists of 4 UNITS in total
3 CORE Units
Unit 1 – Construction Technology – Written externally assessed test. This will be a written 1hr test. Students that fail to pass this will not achieve the Full GCSE equivalent for this course.
Unit 2 – Construction and Design
Unit 3 – Scientific and Mathematical applications for Construction
1 Specialist Unit
Unit 8 – Introductory elements of Painting and Decorating.
Useful Links for BTEC Construction and the Built Environment
KS4 Design Technology Curriculum Overview
Level 1 / 2 BTEC First Award in Engineering
Exam Board: Edexcel
The BTEC First Award in Engineering is a work-related qualification reflecting the knowledge, skills and understanding required in all aspects of the engineering sector.
The engineering sector continues to suffer from a skills gap and needs to keep up with rapidly developing technologies. New entrants to the engineering sector need to build the knowledge and specific skills needed to meet the needs of modern engineering industries.
This course has been designed with a flexible qualification structure and offers a wide range of units through areas such as maintenance, manufacturing and electronics; areas directly relevant to the changing needs of engineering. Students will develop a range of skills and techniques, personal qualities and attitudes essential for successful performance in working life.
Theory lessons will incorporate study through texts, use of ICT packages, discussion, and homework.
Key Stage 4 BTEC Homework tasks will be completed in the Spring and Summer term in Year 10 and Autumn and Spring term in Year 11. Students will complete tasks every fortnight to extend knowledge and understanding of key topics that will aid in achieving the best outcome in their externally assessed Unit test.
Students will be expected to produce evidence of their learning through a detailed portfolio of work in all of their units. Practical lessons will be taught with a high focus on health and safety in the workshop. Students will be expected to wear the relevant personal protective equipment at all times in these lessons. There is a requirement for students to have overalls, toolboxes and safety boots for this subject and will be organised through the department at an approximate cost calculated each year.
The BTEC in Engineering contains both internal and external assessment. This is delivered by the department who have written assignments based upon the facilities of the department.
KS4 Design Technology Assessment
Useful Links for BTEC Construction and the Built Environment
Sample Assessment Material Questions
**waiting for clarification**
Sample Assessment Material Answers – https://qualifications.pearson.com/content/dam/pdf/BTEC-Firsts/Engineering-Electronics-and-Computer-Control-Technologies/2014/Specification-and-sample-assessments/BTEC-Firsts-in-Engineering-Sample-assessment-materials.pdf
GCSE Design Technology: Product Design
Exam Board: OCR
Full Course
This course is largely workshop based. It is designed for students who enjoy using the workshop and completing practical work using the design process. It enables students to demonstrate their design and technology capability through problem solving, which requires them to combine skills with knowledge and understanding in order to design and make quality products. There is also design work that is carried out in folders completed in and out of lesson time.
The modules covered allow students to:
Carry out designing and making activities through a variety of materials develop analysing and evaluating techniques recognise the moral, cultural and environmental issues associated with design and technology. explore how past and present design and technology techniques affect society
Skills students will have the opportunity to develop include:
The ability to use graphic techniques and ICT, including CAD (Computer-Aided Design) and CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacture) to generate, develop, model and communicate design proposals; the ability to use tools and equipment safely, accurately and efficiently to achieve appropriate and reliable functioning three dimensional products that match their specifications; the ability to choose from a range of industrial applications when working with familiar materials and processes. The ability to analyse and work independently focus on the imagination, innovation and flair of designing and making.
Controlled Assessment Units
- Unit A551: Developing and Applying Design Skills (Design Coursework) 30% full course – Internally Assessed
- Developing and writing a design brief.
- Drawing up a specification.
- Generating design proposals.
- Unit A552: Designing and Making Innovation Challenge (Practical Exam) 20% full course – Externally assessed
- Design and Making’– a practical examination that encourages flair, innovation and working with a range of modelling materials.
- Unit A553: Making, Testing and Marketing Products (Practical Coursework) 30% full course – Internally assessed
- Prototype manufacture.
- Testing, evaluating and marketing.
- Unit A554: Designing Influences 20% full course – Externally assessed Written examination (1 hour 30 minutes)
- Examination testing knowledge and understanding of the factors that influence designing, iconic products, trendsetters, design eras and design movements.
Assessment
- 60% coursework
- 40% Final exam
Deadlines
Unit A551: Developing and Applying Design Skills (Design Coursework)
30% full course – Internally Assessed
Deadline: Year 10 Summer Term
Unit A552: Designing and Making Innovation Challenge (Practical Exam)
20% full course – Externally assessed
Deadline: Mock Exams in Year 10 and Year 11 || Year 11 – Summer term
Unit A553: Making, Testing and Marketing Products (Practical Coursework)
30% full course – Internally Assessed
Deadline: Year 11 Spring Term
Unit A554: Designing Influences
20% full course – Externally assessed written examination (1 hour 30 minutes)
Deadline: Mock Exams in Year 10 and Year 11 || Year 11 – Summer term