DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY GCSE

This is a good choice if you enjoy drawing and designing and like to work with a range of materials and processes to design and make 3D objects. In this new GCSE, students must demonstrate mathematical and scientific knowledge and understanding in relation to Design and Technology. GCSE Design and Technology will prepare students to participate confidently and successfully in an increasingly technological world. Students will gain awareness and learn from wider influences on Design and Technology including historical, social, cultural, environmental and economic factors. Students will get the opportunity to work creatively when designing and making and apply technical and practical expertise.

COURSE CONTENT

Design and Technology is purposeful, as well as being fun and exciting! Studying GCSE Design and Technology will build on what you learnt about designing and making in Key Stage 3. You will use your knowledge and skills to design and make new and better solutions to real problems – on your own and with others – working with materials you choose. You will look at the work of famous designers and design movements, and incorporate this in your own project work. You will also have the opportunity to study specialist technical principles in greater depth.

ASSESSMENT

• Exam board: AQA

• The course consists of two units, a coursework project and an exam. The coursework project will begin during Year 10. It will be a ‘design and make’ task. The assessment criteria will be broken down into the following categories; Investigating, designing, making, analysing and evaluating. This is worth 50% to be completed by February of Year 11.

• The exam involves a two hour written paper where you will be expected to demonstrate your knowledge of core technical principles, specialist technical principals and designing and making principles. This is also worth 50%.

Legacy Specification – Year 11 only

WHAT WILL YOU STUDY?

• Design surrounds us constantly in our everyday lives. This course is all about problem solving, and designing and manufacturing high quality products.

• During the course, you will have the opportunity to create innovative solutions to design problems and gain the skills to work from initial idea to completed product, developing skills in manufacturing with wood, metal, plastics as well as paper and card.

• You will have the opportunity to use a range of tools, machines and CAD/CAM throughout the course and develop an understanding of industrial processes.

• You will learn making skills through a series of studio and workshop based design and make projects in year 10, before embarking on an assessed project in year 11.

HOW WILL YOU BE ASSESSED?

• 60% of the marks are from a ‘controlled assessment’ project, a design and make activity from a series of set tasks and will require a folder of design work to be produced using appropriate photographs and ICT, as well as the production of a high quality product in the workshop.

• 40% of the marks are from a written examination at the end of the course.