Is this subject right for me?

Are you passionate about designing and making? Do you enjoy problem-solving? Do you enjoy being creative whilst learning new knowledge, skills and techniques? Do you enjoy working in both 2D and 3D, using a range of different materials and applying knowledge from other subjects you are studying at GCSE? Do you want to try out your own ideas and perhaps follow a path which leads into design, engineering or product design? Then DT: Product Design is an ideal course choice for GCSE.

What do I need to know or be able to do before taking this course?

You need to be curious, to have an interest in the designed world and the buildings, products, objects and services that you are surrounded by and use everyday. You should be able to bring your own creativity, imagination and ideas to help solve design problems and most importantly not be afraid to question, to wonder, to try things out and to experiment!

What will I learn?

The new GCSE qualification (examined from June 2019 onwards) is modern and relevant, so you will learn about new and emerging technologies, materials and processes, as well as more traditional practices.

The DT: Product Design course follows a Timber specialism in section B of the exam paper, however the course allows you to understand and work with a range of materials and processes including timber, plastic, metal, electronics, smart and modern materials and textiles as well as 2D and 3D CAD. You will be encouraged to explore and develop a multi-material approach to your NEA practical.

With a greater emphasis on understanding and applying the iterative design process, you will use your creativity and imagination to design and make prototypes that solve real and relevant problems, considering your own and others’ needs, wants and values.

With links to Maths, Science, Geography, Computing, Engineering, Business and Economics, as well as social, moral, ethical and environmental issues, you will learn through a combination practical project work and more traditional theory based lessons.

Where could it lead?

There are a wide range of STEM Careers (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths) and related jobs such as: Architecture, Engineering, Furniture design, Game and App design, Industrial design, Materials science and technology, Product Design, Product Development, Packaging Design, Marketing, Set and prop design, VR and many more!

There is also scope for creative and technical careers via apprenticeships pathways.

At Key Stage 5, students can continue their studies at A Level.

Assessment

50% Written exam: 2 hour paper (Summer of Year 11)

● What is assessed?

○ Section A: Core technical principles

○ Section B: Specialist technical principles (Timber)

○ Section C: Designing and making principles

50% Non-Exam Assessment (NEA): 30-35 hours (Starting 1st June in Year 10)

● How is this assessed?

○ Written or electronic design portfolio with photographic evidence of final manufactured prototype(s)

○ Approximately 20 pages of A3, digital or A4 equivalent

Exam Board

• AQA

Further Information

For further information on this course, please visit the Design & Technology google site: https://sites.google.com/rosebery.surrey.sch.uk/dtrosebery/gcse-options