Design Technology

Exam Board:  AQA DT GCSE (9-1) Design & Technology

Students will study core content across all DT disciplines which includes Product Design, Textiles, Electronics and Graphics. Through their coursework students can focus their design ideas on one specialism from Graphics or Product Design. They can also incorporate combined elements of Textiles, and some basic features of Electronics within their coursework should their product development lead them to do so.

Year 10/11 - DT GCSE (9-1)

This GCSE will prepare students to participate confidently and successfully in an increasingly technological world. Students will get the opportunity to work creatively when designing and making and apply technical and practical expertise. 

The new GCSE specification allows students to study core technical and designing and making principles, including a broad range of design processes, materials techniques and equipment. The opportunity to study their chosen specialist technical principles in greater depth, as mentioned above, will be via the coursework element of the course.

AQA will set design briefs for students to select and they can choose to answer this brief through the following D&T disciplines offered at QPCS. Students can include elements of Product Design, Graphics, Textiles, and some basic Electronics within their final design ideas. Students will all study the same core content regardless of their chosen disciplines/specialist D&T subjects.

Students produce a portfolio of coursework and will sit all exams at the end of their two-year course.

The course will lead to ‘A’ levels, vocational awards, foundation and university courses. Universities widely acknowledge and seek students with the skills, thinking, evaluation and problem-solving processes, and that D&T subjects provide.

Written exam

- 100 marks

- 50 % of GCSE

Coursework

- Non-exam assessment (NEA) approximately 30 – 35 hours

- 100 marks

- 50% of GCSE

For the coursework element students will be required to produce a substantial folder of coursework that involves a design and make task. This involves producing a working prototype and a portfolio of evidence (maximum 20 pages) to demonstrate what is required from the assessment criteria.

This new specification allows students to further develop their knowledge, understanding and awareness and learn from wider influences on D&T including historical, social, cultural, environmental and economic factors.

See Mr Pineda or Ms Tate for more information.