Design and Technology

"Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works." - Steve Jobs

Why choose Design and Technology?

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 get the opportunity to work creatively when designing and making, and will apply technical and practical expertise.


Welcome to GCSE Design and Technology

Head of DT - Mr H Ridley

Studying design and technology can offer students the unique opportunity to improve people’s lives by tackling real-life problems. The skills that are taught within the subject are very useful in work, study and life. Future career paths can include Engineering, Design and Manufacturing.

Working with others is essential in many roles. If you’re a research scientist you’ll often collaborate with other as part of a team working on the same piece of research. Or if you take a job as a software engineer you’ll usually be part of a larger team creating a new computer programme. Methodical thinking is If you’re creating plans for a new home as an interior designer, you need to approach it methodically. This is important in many jobs outside of design though. Critical evaluation is important to be able to assess and evaluate work and situations in a number of jobs. You might be working as an automotive engineer and looking for ways to improve the design of a new vehicle.

Exam Board : AQA

Qualifiaction Type: GCSE

Assessment: Written Exam & Practical project based coursework

Exam Length:

Written Exam - 2hr (50%)

Project - 30-50hr (50%)

What would help?

Anyone can choose this course, however you may find it easier to access if you are confident in working on practical projects and have a keen interest in the design process, not just the finished piece!

Course Content

50% of the final mark is Non-Examined Assessment (NEA). This will involve research and design sketches, CAD drawing and some practical manufacture of the final design product.

50% is an exam focused on technical principles.

"DT is a great subject that I find fun and enjoyable. It has given me a great understanding of the creative industry and how products are designed and made." - Y10 student

Methods of Study

The teaching will be split in line with the assessment criteria across the two methods of assessment.

Technical Principles and Technical Knowledge: includes studying materials, manufacturing processes and work of existing designers.

Non-Exam Assessment (NEA): Student-led. Pupils will identify a need as directed by the exam board criteria, and will produce design solutions. This will culminate in the realisation of a final manufactured product.

"I have found the first half of the year really good because of all the different materials and tools I have had the opportunity to learn about" - Y11 student

Assessment

The course will use the AQA exam board.

  • Written Exam - 2 hours (50%)

Section A - Core Technical Principles (20 marks)

Section B - Specialist Technical Principles (30 marks)

Section C - Designing and Making Principles (50 marks)

  • Non-Exam Assessment (NEA) - approx. 30-50 hours (50%)

Substantial ‘design and make’ task

Here are some examples of what you could be doing in GCSE Design & Technology next year...