“Valuing Learning,
Valuing Each Other”

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Email: office@driffield.e-riding.sch.uk

GCSE Design & Technology: Product Design

Examination Board: AQA Specification code: 4555

Design and Technology students

The emphasis of this course is commercial Product Design. It is about designing, making, packaging and marketing products. Since most products are made from a combination of materials, students will be expected to work with paper, card plastics, woods and metals. Commercial products require some form of labelling, packaging or instructions therefore there is an element of graphic design. Students will be expected to think about designing and making products in quantity rather than a one-off product and be able to study:

Effective use of CAD/CAM.
Paper/card; plastics; metals and alloys, timber based materials.
Other materials such as textiles, ceramics, and simple electronics can be used in project work...
Understanding ‘the designed world’ – the evolution of product design – how and why products change.
Manufactured products – look at the work of well-known designers.
How products are manufactured – industrial and commercial practice.
Testing and evaluating products.

Entry Requirements

Above all, the courses are fun with a range of learning styles from design work to practical lessons. Students will be able to design products which follow a specific design process and make their ideas during that process. Staff are committed to making the courses as variable as possible and complete tasks which appeal to visual, kinaesthetic and auditory learners. Students can choose which material area they enjoy working in and be creative and innovative whilst acquiring many transferable skills with useful applications elsewhere in their school career. These include use of ICT, planning, communication, marketing, literacy and numeracy, citizenship, social and moral awareness and imaginative design.

Method of Assessment

The controlled assessment is assessed throughout the 2 years by teaching staff and a sample will be externally moderated by the exam board. The assessment percentages are as follows:

60% Controlled Assessment
40% Exam

Year 10 GCSE

We deliver a range of design tasks short focuses practical tasks to prepare students for their controlled assessment. This is enhanced by a range of longer projects following the design process.

Year 11 GCSE

We start the final project at Easter in Year 10. This consists of approx 20 design sheets and a final practical piece.

Year 11 GCSE Exam

We have a comprehensive revision format that combines a wide range of learning styles. The students then sit a 2 hour paper exam at the end of Year 11, it contributes 40% towards their GCSE marks.

Future Opportunities

CAD/CAM operative, computer programmer, product designer, food technologist, fashion designer, graphic designer, engineer, chef, fabric analysis, joiner, electrician, D+T teacher, product development, retail, marketing, quality control, interior designer, fashion buyer, jewellery designer, car designer, architect, telecommunications are to name but a few! The world of design and technology is vast.

I just wanted the opportunity to thank you and all your staff for making our daughter’s first year at Driffield School such a successful and enjoyable experience. Since starting last September we have been impressed by the feedback from your staff in way of letters, postcards, praise and encouragement for our daughter. it is very much appreciated.

Parents of Year 7 student

I am writing to congratulate the Year 10 and Year 11 students who volunteered to take part in the mock interview process today which I was part of…. Students had taken time to do preparation work and the effort to look at the part of an interviewee. The students were a credit to the school and their parents. They were eloquent, enthusiastic and asked pertinent and searching questions of the interviewers.

Business Mentor

I would like to pass on our compliments to the staff for their positive input over the last term and a half. We are very pleased with our daughter’s progress and significant improvement in many subjects.

Parent of Y10 student

My wife and I were delighted to be able to obtain tickets for the Saturday performance of 42nd Street. We wish to applaud all those involved in the brilliant show – not just the main characters, tap dancers and singers, but the excellent musicians and their two teachers; the remarkably efficient scene shifters; and all of your staff responsible for a really professional production.

Parent of student

I am writing to thank Driffield School and the Sports Department for their help and support during 2007. We ran four very successful school biathlons (run/swim) in Driffield. Thank you for your continued support.

British Pentathlon Development Officer

We are delighted with our daughter's transfer to Driffield School. She is enthusiastic about everything - her lessons, teachers and the other students - she never stops talking about them when she gets home. It is lovely to see her re-discovering her enjoyment of school life. Thank you for all your help and support with this.

Parent of Year 10 student

My daughter has just completed her A Levels and has now left Driffield School. However, I couldn’t let the occasion go without writing to thank you and your school for looking after her and giving her such a fine education – and more. Her splendid ‘A’ Level results stand testimony to hard work on her part and a lot of effort, encouragement and perseverance from her teachers.

Parent of Year 13 student

I would just like to know how much I enjoyed Driffield School’s production of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers. The singing, notably from pupils in the lead parts, was fabulous. The acting in every case was excellent as was the musical accompaniment from the orchestra. Well done to all involved for supporting and encouraging the students in this way.

Parent of a student

On behalf of the President and members of Driffield Rotary Club, I write to thank the school for the cheque for £456.63, donated to go towards the cost of rebuilding the school in Sri Lanka destroyed by the Tsunami. It was very generous of the school’s Student Council to agreed to give the proceeds from the non-uniform in July to this very worthwhile project.

The International Committee of the Rotary Club

May I take this opportunity to thank your staff for a wonderful trip to Cork with the Driffield School Swing Band. The students were impeccable in all respects and a credit to the school and their teachers.

Parent of a student

We wish to place on record our sincere thanks, and would ask you to pass on our gratitude to all the members of staff who taught our daughter, particularly in the past two ‘A’ Level years.

Parent of Year 13 student

Driffield School is a vibrant community where teachers and students work hard and achieve well.

Ofsted Inspectors

In this increasingly effective school, standards are rising and have been consistently above average for the last three years.

Ofsted Inspectors

Parents speak well of the dedication and enthusiasm of the staff. They appreciate the way in which students are welcomed into the school and give a chance to reach their full potential.

Ofsted Inspectors

Students themselves say that they enjoy the huge range of opportunities open to them and feel well cared for.

Ofsted Inspectors

Students are confident, articulate and enthusiastic. Students of all ages mix well together because of the tutor system, which puts students of different ages in mixed tutor groups.

Ofsted Inspectors

Sixth Form students play an important role helping younger students to enjoy and take full part in the life of the school.

Ofsted Inspectors

Teachers have high expectations of what students can do and make these clear.

Ofsted Inspectors

Driffield takes good care of its students... Students work hard to reach increasingly challenging targets.

Ofsted Inspectors

This is a very successful Sixth Form. Results for AS/A2 and AVCE examinations are well above average, maintaining a consistently positive trend. Students overall achievement and progress in the Sixth Form are very good; many achieve well beyond expectation.

Ofsted Inspectors

Teaching is lively and challenging, and foster students’ responsibility and independent learning and results in very positive attitudes.

Ofsted Inspectors

Teaching and learning are good overall, with a high proportion of outstanding lessons.

Ofsted Inspectors

The school’s commitment to the care and well-being of students is evident in exemplary arrangements for child protection, safeguarding and health and safety matters.

Ofsted Inspectors