GCSE Design & Technology (Product Design or Textiles)

Design & Technology is a subject that encourages students to apply knowledge that they have gained from many other areas of the curriculum to the solving of practical problems. It gives students the opportunity to work in all of the material areas. All students have the opportunity to design and make practical solutions to real design problems.


CONTENT

The brand new GCSE in Design and Technology is an exciting and challenging course which combines all areas of Design Technology (Resistant Materials, Product Design and Textiles). The new course will build on all the skills students have developed in KS3 but will, of course, introduce a wealth of new ones. Students will learn and develop a range of skills to help them think and communicate their own ideas creatively. They will be expected to respond to real world problems through their own innovative and creative design solutions.​​​​​​​


ASSESSMENT​​​​​​​

Non-exam assessment (coursework) : 30–35 hours approximately

  • 100 Marks · 50% of GCSE

Paper 1 (end of Year 11 ): Written exam: 2 hours

  • 100 Marks · 50% GCSE

This course will prepare students with a 21st century understanding of the world using new technologies such as laser cutting and electronic textiles plus so much more. GCSE Design Technology combines a wide range of subjects and life skills in a creative, practical way. It allows students to develop problem solving skills and encourages students to use and apply knowledge from all areas of the curriculum. The course has strong links with Maths and Science, encouraging students to apply their knowledge from these subjects in a practical way to design and make new products for an ever changing world. Students will study a range of materials including wood, metal, plastics, paper, and textiles.


SUBJECT SPECIALISM

Students will be asked to choose from one of the following specialist material areas they would like to focus on for their GCSE in Design and Technology and it is not possible to study both:​​​

  • Product Design

  • Textiles

You will be expected to develop your understanding and knowledge of the core principles listed below:

  • selection of materials or components

  • forces and stresses

  • ecological and social footprint

  • scales of production

  • sources and origins

  • using and working with materials

  • stock forms, types and sizes

  • specialist techniques

  • surface treatments and finishes.


PROGRESSION AT POST-16 & BEYOND

There are several progression routes that successful students on this course could take at post 16 - some of which are available in RR6:

A-Level 3D Design, Product Design, Fashion and Textiles and BTEC Level 3 in Art and Design.