Choices at HELP International School

AQA Design and Technology 8552 | 1 GCSE

Overview

Design and technology is ‘Something for Somebody for Some purpose’

D&T is a way of solving real-world problems

The knowledge and understanding you get from D&T projects give you transferable skills that you can apply to solving real issues in the real world. Collaborative working, iterative design approaches, planning and problem-solving are skills you can put to use in a vast range of career options.

D&T is creativity and innovation – create fantastic designs and make brilliant products

Design and Technology is purposeful, but it’s also exciting and fun! Studying D&T will involve you in learning about designing and manufacturing, using your knowledge and skills to design and make new and better solutions to real problems – on your own and with others – working with the materials you choose

Course Content

Throughout this GCSE Design and Technology course you will gain an insight into some of the aspects that make D&T such an interesting subject. You will be given the opportunity to develop a knowledge and understanding of a wide range engineering ideas, techniques and skills, including:

Sustainable design
Skills development
Materials
Robotics
Structures
Mechanisms
Engineering
Digital design
Textiles technology
Solving people’s problems

Assessment

Question paper: Externally assessed - 50% of GCSE

Non-exam assessment: 50% of GCSE

Progression

D&T is a growing sector in future areas of employment and applies technological solutions to man made problems such as the environmental impact of past industrial processes; technology is developing all the time and keeping up with fast-paced change is essential. The jobs people will be doing tomorrow will be radically different from many of those done today. Future proofing your prospects is essential if you are to have control over your choices. GCSE D&T opens doors to a wide range of careers in the creative, engineering and manufacturing industries as well as medicine, law and computer science. Studying Design and Technology will prepare you for a digital future in sectors such as communications, engineering, textiles, medical industries, transportation, robotics and AI. The knowledge and skills you learn, such as teamwork and time management will be valued by employers.

The key skills that employers are looking for:

• Creativity, innovation and adaptability.

• Communication skills

• Transferable skills.

• Aptitude and a willingness to learn and take on new skills.

• Critical thinking skills.

• Team working and negotiation skills.

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