Throughout the course you will develop your ability to explore design opportunities through prototyping and modelling by primarily making functional and aesthetic products.  Students will draw upon intellectual, creative and practical skills through product and 3D digital design, whilst also learning to develop and effectively communicate realistic design proposals.  You will develop your decision making skills and the ability to critique and refine your ideas throughout the process.  You will also gain a broad knowledge of materials, components, technologies and practical skills and will learn how to use these safely. 

Within this course students will develop the skills and demonstrate the ability to use three-dimensional techniques and processes, through model making, constructing, surface treatment, assembling, modelling using media and materials, as well as exploring skills in drawing materials, timbers, metals, polymers and found materials.

Students will be expected to have a genuine interest in all aspects of the subject, a willingness to listen carefully to advice and absorb ideas from their research. You will also need to be well organised and committed to completing up to three hours prep studies per week.

Year 9: Students carry out several mini projects building confidence in developing, refining, recording, and presenting ideas through different aspects of Design Technology.

Year 10: Students will complete a mini project and experience how to undertake in a mock exam-style context.

Year 11: Students complete an extended project with a final piece worth 60% of their GCSE. In January they start the exam project which is worth 40% of their final grade at GCSE. 

Students will undertake a high degree of written, drawing and practical based assessment through individual projects. Project materials are often expensive, and students will need to contribute towards materials used. This is typically in the region of £20 per student, paid through WisePay at the beginning of each academic year. In Year 11 students have free choice of outcome and their projects are charged accordingly based on their materials used.

Component 1: Portfolio – 60%

Component 2: Externally set assignment (10 hour practical exam) – 40%

Component 1: Portfolio: Each student must select and present a portfolio of their course of study.  The portfolio will include at least one sustained project developed in response to a subject, theme, task or brief.  This will give students the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to draw together different areas of knowledge and skills. A selection of further work resulting from experiments into three dimensional techniques and prototype/product based projects will also be included.

Component 2: Externally set assignment:The examination board will provide a separate externally set assignment which provides students with the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to draw together different areas of knowledge and skill through an extended creative response.  In the Spring Term of Year 11 there will be a 10-hour supervised, unaided practical work conducted in examination conditions that will account for 40% of the course.

A wide variety of work within the design industry, including; Product Designer, CAD artist, Furniture/Graphic Designer, Interior Designer, Architect,  Automotive design, Packaging design, Advertising, Marketing, Digital media.