Overview

In this new GCSE, all students will study a Core – this will involve being able to design and manufacture products using many different materials including timbers, fabrics, cardboards, metal, plastics. There will also be some simple investigation into common mechanisms. Students will then have the opportunity to specialise in one of the following areas in more depth – Timbers, Metals, Plastics, Cardboard. Items designed and made will either be in the form of material specific (to get the basic skills and knowledge embedded), or where students will be given a theme and will be able to design and make an item based on that theme, from any material. The Non Examined Assessment (what was called Coursework, or Controlled Assessment Task) will give students the freedom to take design risks and to innovate in a situation where it is safe to test and refine ideas.

Topics covered

Assessments

Component 1 - Examination worth 50%

The paper includes simple calculations, one word and one sentence questions as well as extended-writing questions focused on:

• analysis and evaluation of design decisions and outcomes, against a technical principle, for prototypes made by others

• analysis and evaluation of wider issues in design technology, including social, moral, ethical and environmental impacts.

The paper is split into section A “core” and section B “material” categories and is a written exam, which is externally assessed. Students must answer all questions in section A based on the Core of all materials studied. Students must answer questions on the materials they have specialised in, (Metals, Cardboards, Plastics or Timbers), in more depth in section B

Component 2 - Design & Make project worth 50%

Three themes will be provided by the board on 1st June each year, from which students must choose one to respond to. Students will produce a project which consists of a portfolio and a prototype.

There are four parts to the assessment:

• Part 1: Investigate

• Part 2: Design

• Part 3: Make

• Part 4: Evaluate

This is internally assessed and externally moderated.

FAQs

Do I have to be good at drawing?

• No but the willingness to improve your communication skills over time is more important as well as the ability to be creative. As you will be working with a wide range of material areas including fabrics.

Will I have the same DT teacher?

• We have 3 Design Technology teachers that teach GCSE so you may have the same teacher as you do in year 8, but you could also have a new one. You shouldn’t just pick this GCSE because you like/dislike your teacher.

Is there a lot of practical work?

• You will be developing practical skills through accessed pieces of work on a range of materials but there is also more written work and drawing too. This is to help prepare you as  you will have to sit a final 2 hour exam in year 11. So you will need the knowledge and understanding to be able to answer these questions on a wide range of materials.

Can I make what I want?

• In year 11 you final portfolio of work for your NEA (Non Examined Assessment) is based upon 3 contexts that the exam board set. You will then have to identify a problem and choose a design problem that you wish to design and make a solution for.

How will I be assessed at the end to achieve my final grade?

• You will complete a 2 hour exam split into 2 sections worth 50% and a NEA portfolio 50%

  • Section A: Focuses questions on DT in our world

  • Section B: In depth questions on a specific in depth material

• NEA Portfolio based on 3 contexts set by the exam board worth 50%.

• This includes research, designing and developing ideas including CAD, modelling ideas, making a final prototype and evaluation of the solution.

What exam board syllabus do we study? 

Eduqas.

What can I do with GCSE Design Technology? (in terms of A-levels, apprenticeships, careers etc)

• You can go and study A level Design technology, Product Design or 3D Design, or you may move onto other apprenticeship courses in both engineering as well as in construction and design media. Future careers it can lead to include architecture, product designer, interior designer, engineering including CAD engineering.