Product Design KS4 - Useful Information

This course is varied and is offered to students in Years 10 and 11. Students will complete modules using Microsoft Office suite and CAD software such as Adobe Photoshop, Techsoft 2D Design, PTC Prodesktop and other CAD software. Students will be expected to learn the basics of mechanical Computer Aided Design, Animation, Digital image manipulation and much more. At the end of their academic year, they will sit an online exam where their competency with the software will be tested. Students study a range of industry standard subject areas in the field of IT and can choose from a range of optional units that interest and inspire them. These topic areas, or units, can be combined to create a coherent focus which will help them towards further study in IT, post16 education or employment. The units covered in the syllabus include:-

• Desktop Publishing · Design Software · Additive Manufacture Design and Make · Website Software · Developing Computer Games and Puzzles · Drawing and planning – linked to Architecture · Word processing · Presentation software

How do the qualifications work? Students work on the various units to produce course work to the required standard. The coursework is monitored by the teachers and awarded either a pass or fail mark. By passing the coursework, students are ready for the externally assessed examination. If they struggle with Level 2, they can take a Level 1 qualification for G-D grades. No student leaves without a qualification, so all work is rewarded.