GCSE Design & Technology

Subject Leader - Mrs C Owen

• Have you ever considered a job where you can be creative in a practical/useful way?

• Do you want to start a career within an industry that needs graduates to fill positions?

• Would you like to be the next James Dyson and change the world with an idea? (and make a lot of money in the process!)

• Have you enjoyed any of the projects in KS3 Design Technology?  Including Creative Crackers.

• Have you previously attended and enjoyed STEM club?

Answered YES to any of the above? If so, we may have the perfect GCSE option for you!

Why study Design?

The UK is internationally renowned as a incredibly creative nation, in the last 15 years we have become number 1 in the world. With massive shortfalls in the number of recruits in Engineering and UK’s recent emphasis embracing creativity as an important component of innovative engineering, there really is no better time to begin your career within design.

Exam Board

AQA

Assessment

50% Controlled Assessment. 50% Examination.

Pupils sit one examination paper at the end of year 11 which carries 50% of the total marks. There is a single tier of entry for the final summer examination. The remaining  50% is derived from a non-exam assessment (NEA) started at the end of year 10 and continuing throughout year 11, this includes a design portfolio.

A few common myths...

"I can’t draw so I won’t be good at Design & Technology”- it's more important that you can generate creative ideas and have a positive attitude. We will help you develop drawing techniques; however, you can also show your ideas in many different mediums including physical models and using CAD/Google sketch-up.

“You just make things” - Yes, we use a variety of machines including CAM (3D printing, laser cutter) to produce prototypes and this is key to any idea development; however, the course involves so much more. You will also learn about the world/products around us, how to think creatively, learn how to effectively problem solve and we hope to nurture employable skills. Whilst also we will concentrate on developing your theoretical learning including industrial materials and processes.

What careers will GCSE Design & Technology help prepare you for?

The simple answer is any career or job that requires you to look at things with an analytical approach and requires problem-solving skills. We are a perfect subject to link Sciences and Art together, also with strong links to Physics, Maths, Photography, Geography and Art. 

Examples of courses/jobs our previous students have moved onto in the past include

If you want to find out more about our subject please see Bromcom for more “Options” information or alternatively ask your DT teacher and/or Mrs Owen with any questions you may have.