KS4 - GCSE

GCSE Specification and Curriculum Overview

Course content

The design, control and planning of the interaction between people, their built environment and the natural world is our daily and long-term dilemma and responsibility. No other curriculum area prepares us as thoroughly as decision makers, consumers or practitioners of Design and Technology.

I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand.

Design and technology is a predominantly practical subject which requires the application of knowledge and understanding when developing ideas, planning, producing products and evaluating them. The distinction between designing and making is a convenient one to make, but in practice the two merge. For example, research can involve not only investigating written documentation and people’s opinions, but also investigating proportions, colour, structures, circuits and materials through practical work. There is an emphasis upon analysis through all the stages of design and making including research, design development, construction, testing and evaluation.

Students will build upon the knowledge and understanding of industrial practices, and applications of systems and control developed in Key Stage 3. This course provides appropriate foundation for further study of related post 16 courses such as Product Design at AS and A2 level or engineering and arts/ textiles based subjects in other institutions. The work produced for controlled assessment folios also provides the basis of a suitable portfolio to show at further or higher education interviews.

Career paths for which Design and Technology provides appropriate skills, knowledge and empathy include; architecture, mechanical engineering, surveying, cartography, animation, graphic design, packaging, interior design, web design, computer based work in all design and manufacturing related professions, health and safety, material testing, civil engineering, environmental planning, urban design, ergonomics and many more!

During year 9 and 10 students follow a number of project based activities through which they learn the processes and applications in a range of areas including wood, metal and plastic.

Common to all aspects is the use of CAD modelling, assembly, rendering and drawing to develop and present their work. Pupils will also develop a greater understanding of the design process and the wider issues of design in society, health and safety, industrial processes, systems and control, communication skills including ICT, quality assurance and control, product analysis and evaluations.

Assessment Pattern

Supervised controlled assessment (50%) comprises a single integrated Design and Make project in a student chosen area consisting of a 3- dimensional product and a concise design folder lasting for 40 hours during Year 11 from an exam board set choice of contexts.

Terminal examination (50%) comprising a written paper covering all areas of DT based upon the taught topics in Years 9, 10 and 11.

Helpful Resources

Examples of Work

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