Design and Technology (Product Design)

Course summary

The Taunton School DT A-Level programme allows students to study design and manufacturing principles whilst also developing transferable soft skills that are highly valued, both in industry and by higher education institutions. Although the context of the work covered in DT relates directly to design, engineering, innovation and tech industries, the project-based nature of the subject allows students to build a portfolio of evidence that can be used to support a range of pathways including business, law, and medicine. Year 12 students complete multi-disciplinary projects that build subject knowledge and practical skills, in preparation for the non-examined assessment project (NEA), which is introduced towards the end of the academic year. Contextual assignments are developed in response to student needs, but recent examples include a cost-constrained furniture design competition, an architecture and landscaping project and smaller focused practical tasks that centre around material properties, processes, and techniques. Year 13 students complete their NEA until the end of the spring term. This personal innovation project is worth 50% of students’ total grade, and assesses student’s ability to research, conceptualise, create, and evaluate. Students manufacture a working prototype to demonstrate the effectiveness of their ideas when problem solving. This unique process offers students the opportunity to create an impressive portfolio of evidence, which demonstrates knowledge and skills to universities and future employers, giving DT students a competitive advantage over peers.