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“Design and technology is a phenomenally important subject. Logical, creative and practical, it’s the only opportunity students have to apply what they learn in maths and science - directly preparing them for a career in engineering. Policy-makers must recognise design and technology’s significance for the UK economy and strive not just to preserve it – but to ensure it appeals to the brightest of young minds.”
Course Details
Course Details
Award: GCSE
Awarding Body: AQA
Specification Code: 8552
Specification Website: https://filestore.aqa.org.uk/resources/design-and-technology/specifications/AQA-8552-SP-2017.PDF
Course Introduction
Course Introduction
Design and technology gives young people the skills and abilities to engage positively with the designed and made world and to harness the benefits of technology. They learn how products and systems are designed and manufactured, how to be innovative and to make creative use of a variety of resources including digital technologies, to improve the world around them.
Subject Content
Subject Content
Unit 1
- Industry and enterprise
- Sustainability and the environment
- People, culture and society
- Production techniques and systems
- Informing design decisions
Unit 2
- Energy generation
- Energy storage
- Modern materials
- Smart materials
- Composite materials and technical textiles
- Systems approach to designing
- Electronic systems processing
- Mechanical devices
Unit 3
- Papers and boards
- Timbers
- Metals and alloys
- Polymers
- Textiles
Unit 4
- Forces and stresses
- Improving functionality
- Ecological and social footprint
- The six R’s
- Scales of production
Unit 5A
- Sources, origins and properties
- Working with paper and board
- Commercial manufacturing, surface treatments and finishes
Unit 5B
- Sources and origins
- Working with timbers
- Commercial manufacturing
Unit 5C
- Sources, origins and properties
- Working with metal based materials
- Commercial manufacturing, surface treatments and finishes
Unit 5D
- Sources, origins and properties
- Working with polymers
- Manufacture and finishing
Unit 5E
- Sources, origins and properties
- Working with textiles
- Manufacture and finishing
Unit 5F
- Sources, origins and properties
- Working with electronics
- Manufacturing and finishing
Unit 6
- Investigation, primary and secondary data
- The work of others
- Design strategies
- Communication of design ideas
Unit 7
- Selection of materials and components
- Tolerances
- Material management
- Tools, equipment, techniques and finishes
- Surface treatments and finishes
Assessment
Assessment
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
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): 30–35 hours approx.
100 marks
50% of GCSE
Related Routes
Related Routes
Subject Taster Presentation
Subject Taster Presentation
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