Design and Technology
Overview
In this GCSE, all students will study a core content to enable them to design and manufacture products from 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 either materials, graphics or texities in more depth. This choice is made during the option selection process.
The Non Examined Assessment will give students the freedom to take design risks and to innovate in a situation where it is safe to test and refine ideas.
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Topics covered
Students will be able to:
Identify, investigate and outline design possibilities to address needs and wants
Design and make prototypes that are fit for purpose
Analyse and evaluate:
design decisions and outcomes, including for prototypes
made by themselves and others
wider issues in design and technology
Demonstrate and apply knowledge and understanding of:
technical principles of a range of materials
designing and making principles for a range of materials
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 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?
Not necessarily. All of our Design & Technology teachers teach GCSE, so you might have the same teacher as you do in year 8, but you could also have a new one.
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 written work and drawing too. This is to help prepare you to sit the final 2 hour exam in Y11, answering questions on a wide range of materials.
Can I make what I want?
In Y11 your final portfolio of work for your Non-Examined Assessment (NEA) 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 engineering, construction, or design media. Future possible careers include architecture, product designer, interior designer, and engineering including CAD engineering.