Skip to content

Home

Introduction

Welcome to the Design and Technology A Level Support Wiki. This platform has been created to provide clear, structured, and accessible support for students and teachers following the Pearson/Edexcel Design and Technology specification.

The aim of this resource is to break down complex theory into manageable sections, reinforce key concepts, and provide guidance that supports both classroom learning and independent study.

Purpose of This Wiki

This wiki is designed to:

  • Support understanding of core Design and Technology principles
  • Provide concise explanations of key theoretical content
  • Help students prepare effectively for examinations
  • Offer structured revision materials aligned with the specification
  • Act as a reference tool throughout the course

What You’ll Find Here

The content is organised into clear topic areas based on the specification. These include:

Core Technical Principles

  • Materials and their properties
  • Performance characteristics of materials
  • Methods of processing and manufacture
  • Modern and smart materials
  • Ecological and social footprint of materials

Core Designing and Making Principles

  • Design processes and iterative design
  • User-centred design and ergonomics
  • Creativity, innovation, and problem-solving
  • Communication of design ideas (sketching, CAD, modelling)
  • Prototyping and testing

Specialist Technical Principles

  • In-depth study of specific material areas (e.g. polymers, timbers, metals, textiles)
  • Industrial and commercial manufacturing processes
  • Quality control systems
  • Use of machinery and emerging technologies

How to Use This Wiki

  • Use it alongside your lessons to reinforce understanding
  • Refer to specific sections when revising key topics
  • Use diagrams, summaries, and examples to support learning
  • Revisit weaker areas regularly to build confidence

Assessment Overview

The A Level Design and Technology course is assessed through:

  • Written examinations – testing knowledge and understanding of theory
  • Non-Exam Assessment (NEA) – a substantial design and make project

This wiki provides support for the theory content only.

Contributing and Updating

This is a living resource and may be updated regularly to improve clarity, add examples, and reflect changes in the specification. Contributions and feedback are encouraged to ensure the content remains useful and relevant.

Key Takeaway

This wiki is your central hub for mastering A Level Design and Technology theory—use it consistently, actively engage with the content, and apply what you learn to both exams and coursework.