Design and Technology (GCSE)

Exam Board: AQA

Course Overview:

GCSE Design and Technology will prepare students to participate confidently and successfully in an increasingly technological world. Students will gain awareness and learn from wider influences on Design and Technology including historical, social, cultural, environmental and economic factors. Students will have the opportunity to work creatively when designing and making and apply technical and practical expertise. This GCSE allows students to study core technical and designing and making principles, including a broad range of design processes, materials techniques and equipment. They will also have the opportunity to study specialist technical principles in greater depth.

Course Content:

Core Technical Principles: In order to make effective design choices students will learn a breadth of core 

technical knowledge and understanding that consists of: 

● New and emerging technologies 

● Energy generation and storage 

● Developments in new materials 

● Systems approach to designing 

● Mechanical devices 

● Materials and their working properties

Specialist Technical Principles: In addition to the core technical principles, all students will develop an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the following specialist technical principles: 

● Selection of materials or components 

● Forces and stresses 

● Ecological and social footprint 

● Sources and origins 

● Using and working with materials 

● Stock forms, types and sizes 

● Scales of production 

● Specialist techniques and processes 

● Surface treatments and finishes

Designing & Making: students will learn that all design and technology activities take place within a wide range of contexts. They will also understand how the prototypes they develop must satisfy wants or needs and be fit for their intended use. For example, the home, school, work or leisure. They will need to demonstrate and apply knowledge and understanding of designing and making principles in relation to the following areas: 

● Investigation, primary and secondary data 

● Environmental, social and economic challenge 

● The work of others 

● Design strategies 

● Communication of design ideas 

● Prototype development 

● Selection of materials and components 

● Tolerances 

● Material management 

● Specialist tools and equipment 

● Specialist techniques and processes 

Assessment Structure:

Paper 1 - What’s assessed

• Core technical principles

• Specialist technical principles

• Designing and making principles

How it’s assessed

• Written exam: 2 hours

• 100 marks

• 50% of GCSE

Questions

• Section A – Core technical principles (20 marks) A mixture of multiple choice and short answer questions assessing a breadth of technical knowledge and understanding

• Section B – Specialist technical principles (30 marks) Several short answer questions (2-5 marks) and one extended response to assess a more in depth knowledge of technical principles

• Section C – Designing and making principles (50 marks) A mixture of short answer and extended response questions

Non-exam assessment (NEA)

What’s assessed - Practical application of:

• Core technical principles

• Specialist technical principles

• Designing and making principles

How it’s assessed

• Non-exam assessment (NEA): 40-45 hours approx.

• 100 marks

• 50% of GCSE Task(s) 

• Substantial design and make task

• Assessment criteria:

• Identifying and investigating design possibilities

• Producing a design brief and specification

• Generating & developing design ideas

• Analysing & evaluating 

Students will produce a prototype and a portfolio of evidence

Career Prospects and Transferable Skills:

By studying design and technology, you’ll be able to build up your creativity, problem solving, planning and evaluation skills. Since many projects are done via group work, you’ll also gain communication and teamwork skills. Design and technology can set you up for a career in a wide variety of industries such as fashion, engineering, architecture, information technology, careers in hospitality and even education. Popular careers for people with design and technology qualifications include: fashion designer, tailor, product designer, architect, software engineer, civil engineer, carpenter and chef. 

Design and Technology work is often time consuming and may need to be completed outside of lesson time. Students will need to create a functioning prototype as an element of their Non-Exam Assessment.

Further Information:  Andrew Goodacre  (Head of Learning Technology Department) - email: andrew.goodacre@scwa.org.uk