Design Technology and Engineering

Term 1 
Topic: Technical drawing - orthographic and isometric. 
Enquiry Question: How can  technical drawing be used to communicate ideas?

Term 2 
Topic: Stationery holder project - introduction to hand tools. 
Enquiry Question: How can I use a range of traditional tools to create a product?

Terms 3 and 4 
Topic: Phone holder project - how to design a product with constraints. 
Enquiry Question: How can I  design a product to a brief?

Terms 5 and 6 
Topic: tea light display - computer-aided design and manufacturing 
Enquiry Question: What is computer-aided design and manufacturing?
 

Terms 1, 2 and 3. 
Topic: Spanner project - a comparison between traditional and contemporary manufacturing techniques. 
Enquiry Question: How can I work within tight tolerances when cutting materials?

Terms 4, 5 and 6.  
Topic: Lantern project - integrating simple electronics into a project. 
Enquiry Question: How can I create a working electrical circuit.
 

Terms 1, 2 and 3. 
Topic: Box project - manufacturing a journeyman’s box which incorporates a range of joining techniques.
Enquiry Question: How many ways can I join similar materials together?

Terms 4, 5 and 6.  
Topic: Planter project - manufacturing a product using a range of materials that require joining.
Enquiry Question: How can I join dissimilar materials together? 

Term 1 
Topic: Steel box project. 
Enquiry Question: How do the physical properties of different sheet materials affect their suitability for bending, shaping and joining?

Term 2 
Topic: Jewellery stand.
Enquiry Question: What are the strengths and limitations of traditional joinery techniques when combined with laser-cut and 3D-printed components?

Term 3 
Topic: Adjustable clamp.
Enquiry Question: How do I cut difficult-to-shape material to a high standard with tools that require precision to use? 

Term 4 
Topic: Mock NEA.
Enquiry Question: How do you evaluate a brief and complete research for the engineering NEA? 

Term 5 
Topic: Mock NEA.
Enquiry Question: How do you create a technical drawing for engineering NEA? 

Term 6
Topic: Mock NEA.
Enquiry Question: How do you plan a manufacturer for the engineering NEA? 
 

Term 1 
Topic: Mock NEA.
Enquiry Question: How do you evaluate and test a finished product?

Term 2 
Topic: NEA - initial research, completion of task 1, research, completion of task 2 and  hand drawn technical drawing. 
Enquiry Question: How can I get the most marks in my NEA?

Term 3 
Topic: NEA  - hand drawn technical drawing, task 3 computer aided design, Task 4  project planning and time management. 
Enquiry Question: How can I get the most marks in my NEA?

Term 4 
Topic: NEA- task 5 manufacturer of prototype and testing and  task 6 evaluation. 
Enquiry Question: How can I get the most marks in my NEA?

Terms 5 and 6  
Topic:  Consolidation of learning, closing gaps and revision of core engineering content. 
Enquiry Question: How can I best revise for my engineering Exam?

How is this course assessed? 
Two externally set assessments .  One non examination and one examination.
 

Term 1
Core 1:
Perform arithmetic operations on integers, decimal numbers and numbers in standard form using rules of arithmetical preference: brackets, indices, division and multiplication.
Adding and subtraction (BIDMAS).
Work to a specified number of decimal places or significant figures.
Carry out calculations using fractions, percentages, ratios and scale.
Simplify, factorise and manipulate equations to change the subject.
Solve simultaneous and quadratic equations.
Apply the rules of indices.
Apply laws of logarithms (base 10 and natural),  problem solving, including problems involving growth and decay.
Determine numbers in a sequence using arithmetic and geometric progression and power series.
Addition, subtraction and multiplication of matrices in engineering contexts.
Calculate the area of 2D shapes (square, rectangle, triangle and  circle) and the volume of
3D shapes (cube, cuboid, cylinder and cone).
Core 2:
How different types of manufacturing processes influence the design of engineered products. 
How different requirements affect users and designs related to product manufacturing. 
The steps of  linear and iterative design processes and the contribution that testing makes to achieving a suitable and effective design. 
How to interpret anthropometric data.
An overview of the main activities, the products and/or services provided by the stated sectors.
How technology advances and how operations have evolved and contributed to engineering, social and economic development ( including transportation, healthcare, housing, employment and sustainability). 

Industry placement: 
Professional conduct within a workplace environment. 
CV writing and how to approach companies. 
Industrial placement training.

Specialism:
Introduction to Fusion 360 CAD package. 
Introduction to 3D printing. 
Introduction to fibre laser cutting. 

Term 2
Core 1:
Interpret and express changes in an engineering system from a graph (straight line, trigonometrical and exponential relationships).
Determine the equation of a straight line from a graph (y = mx + c).
Determine standard differentials and integrals (basic arithmetic operations, powers/indices and  trigonometric functions).
Calculate maximum and minimum values in engineering contexts using differentiation.
Use of Pythagoras’ theorem and triangle measurement.
Circular measure, including conversion between radians and degrees.

Core 2:
How innovation and emerging trends are evolving and could influence manufacturing, environmental considerations and social and economic development.
The characteristics of and purposes of the audience for different drawing types. The purpose and application of CAD systems and software. How to interpret and present information, symbols, conventions and annotations on engineering drawings in accordance with the conventions of BS EN 8888 and BS3939.
How to interpret dimensions and related drawing symbols. How to calculate tolerances, limits and fits. 
How to produce a system diagram with multiple inputs, outputs, a combination of process blocks and feedback and explain its operation. Applications of open and closed loop control systems (under or over damped and time dependency). The advantages and disadvantages of open-loop and closed-loop control systems. The relationship between input and output (steady rate error). The relative advantages and disadvantages of analogue and digital signals in control systems. Applications of control systems in industry including effective and efficient networked communication and data transmission. 

Industry placement: 
Approaching companies and how to record placement in the logbook. 

Specialism:
Proficiency in using a Manual machine Lathe for basic operations. 
Proficiency in using a manual 3-axis milling machine.

Term 3
Core 1:
Application of trigonometric functions (sin, cos and  tan), their common values, rules and graphical representation.
Determining dimensions of a triangle using the sine and cosine rules.
Common trigonometric identities (sec, csc and cot).
Use of vectors including addition, dot and cross product.
Calculation of range, cumulative frequency, averages (mean, median and mode) and standard deviation for statistical data in an engineering context.
Determination of probabilities in practical engineering situations.
Core 2:
How sensors and actuators are used in automation control systems.
The function, purpose and value of standards (safety, quality and  compliance) and how to access this information.
The roles and responsibilities of the engineering bodies.
The main principles, purposes and outcomes of quality assurance, quality control, inspection and testing. The difference between quality control and quality assurance.
The main requirements of quality standards.
The reasons for document management and version control.
The advantages and disadvantages of 100% sampling compared to statistical process control (SPC).
The use of Six Sigma for high-volume manufacturing.
The main principles, purposes, advantages and disadvantages of different
approaches to quality improvement.
Types and applications of Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and their purposes.

Industry placement: 
Work on industry placement and recording expenses in the logbook. 

Specialism:
Using mechanical principles to solve engineering problems. 
How to combine machining practices in one part. 
Introduction to occupational specialism project format.

Term 4
Core 1:
The difference between base and derived units.
The units applicable to different properties.
How to convert between SI units and comparable imperial units.
How to convert between different multiples and submultiples.
The definitions of and differences between scalar and vector coordinates. How to convert between Cartesian and polar coordinates where angles are in degrees.
The concept of the scientific method (observation, questioning, making a hypothesis, prediction/simulation, testing, conclusion and iteration).
How to analyse, evaluate, synthesise, and apply information, data, research findings, deliberation, and the processes, results, and outcomes of testing, modelling and experimentation (accuracy, reliability, precision and replication).
Principles of electrical and electronic systems.

Core 2:
The main requirements of  current key legislation, how to access it and how it affects their own activities in the workplace. The legislation should be satisfied by their company's safe systems of work and other procedures; therefore, they do not need to know every detail of the law. 
How health and safety legislation affects the frequency of accidents and related incidents.
The importance of mental health and wellbeing in the workplace.
The persons responsible for ensuring compliance are the employer, employee and Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
Implications of non-compliance.
Responsibilities for health and safety.
Stages of risk assessment , identification of hazards (hazard and operability study HAZOP, and HAZID), evaluation of risks (likelihood, severity and number of people affected), implementation of control measures (hierarchy of control: elimination, reduction/substitution, isolation, controls, administration/training/safe system of work and  PPE).

Industry placement: 
Work on industry placement and recording expenses in the logbook.

Specialism:
Using mechanical principles to solve engineering problems. 
How to combine machining practices in one part. 
Introduction to occupational specialism project format. 

Term 5
Core 1:
What can be measured by each item of equipment?
The techniques used to carry out measurements using the stated equipment.
The accuracy, relative limitations and benefits of the listed devices.
How the principles and techniques are used in measuring and problem-solving.
The definitions of the terms' atom', 'element', 'molecule', 'compound' and 'mixture'. The applications, characteristics, management and control of chemical interactions and reactions used in engineering (chemical etching, surface finishing, bonding, applications for oils and lubricants and  high-risk operations).
The application of theory and calculations to solve practical engineering problems
involving forces and motion.
The application of theory and calculations to solve practical engineering problems
involving fluids.
The key differences between liquid flow and aerodynamics.

Core 2:
The goals of commercial operations and how these are addressed. How organisations address the needs of different customers and markets. How organisations evaluate activities in terms of quality, cost and time. The role of research, development and innovation in addressing changing customer needs. Purpose, function and typical content of job descriptions.
How behaviour and personal conduct in the workplace influence interactions with people.
How to seek advice and guidance when necessary.
Expectations for reputation and ethical behaviour in the workplace.
The primary responsibilities of the different roles in an organisation and how they affect the business in terms of accountabilities and inter-dependencies.
The primary duties of an organisation regarding equality, diversity, accessibility and inclusion.

Industry placement: 
Industry project - a project set by an industry expert. 
Presentation skills. 

Term 6
Core 1:
Revision of materials in preparation for the summer exam. 
Core 2:
Revision of materials in preparation for the summer exam. 

Industry placement:
Industry placement extension if required.

Specialism:
Employer Set Project. The employerset project samples knowledge drawn from across the core content.

Term 1
Core 1:
The common forms of supply, relative properties, applications and methods of disposal of the listed materials.
The differences between pure metals and alloys, ferrous and non-ferrous metals,  thermoplastic and thermosetting polymers, composites and alloys.
The definition of a smart material, the characteristics and typical applications of smart materials.
The relationship between the structure of a material and its properties.
The difference between crystalline and non-crystalline materials.

Core 2:
Stock and inventory management principles and practices.
Asset management and control principles.
Continuous improvement principles and practices.
Principles of project management.

Specialism:
Employer-set project mock 1 18.5 hours. 
Employer-set project mock 2 18.5 hours. 

Term 2
Core 1:
Revision of materials in preparation for the autumn exam. 
Core 1 exam. 

Core 2:
Revision of materials in preparation for the autumn exam. 
Core 2 exam. 

Specialism:
Employer-set project exam. 

Term 3
Core 1:
Unit completed. 

Core 2:
Unit completed. 

Industry placement: 
Industry placement extension if required.

Specialism:
Occupational specialism NEA mock 1.
Occupational specialism NEA mock 2. 

Term 4
Core 1:
Unit completed. 

Core 2:
Unit completed. 

Specialism:
Occupational specialism NEA. 

Term 5
Core 1:
Core Exam 1 resit revision. 

Core 2:
Core Exam 2 resit revision.

Industry placement: 
Industry placement extension if required.

Specialism
Occupational specialism NEA mock 1.

Term 6
Core :
Core Exam 1 resit if required. 

Core 2:
Core Exam 2 resit if required. 

Industry placement: 
Industry placement extension if required.

How is the course assessed?
Core component: This part of the qualification is externally assessed and focuses on the fundamental knowledge and skills required in the engineering and manufacturing sector. These are marked as a conventional A-level from A* to E. It is assessed through:
Two written examinations: These exams test your theoretical knowledge of a broad range of engineering principles, including health and safety, science, mathematics and business.

An employer-set Project (ESP): This is a practical, project-based assessment that requires students to apply their core knowledge and skills to a realistic, industry-relevant brief. The project is set by an awarding organisation in collaboration with employers to ensure it reflects real-world challenges. This assessment is designed to be synoptic, meaning it requires students to integrate and apply knowledge from across the core component.
Occupational specialism:  This is a comprehensive, project-style assessment that evaluates students' occupation specific knowledge and practical skills. It requires students  to demonstrate competence by completing a series of practical tasks and written work. This assessment is designed to show that students can apply and connect all the skills and knowledge students have  learned in their specialism. The NEA is assessed by either pass, merit, distinction.
Overall grading and industry placement:  The  final T Level grade (pass, merit, distinction or distinction*) is determined by the grades students achieve on both the core component and the occupational specialism. To complete the T Level and receive an overall grade, students must also complete a mandatory industry placement of at least 315 hours (approximately 45 days). While the placement is not formally graded, it is a crucial component that students must pass to be awarded the qualification.