About the course
Design and Technology is suitable for creative, curious and innovative students who enjoy designing and making products. Students will complete a series small practical projects before embarking on a full design and manufacture, research led GCSE project.
GCSE coursework will account for 50% of their overall GCSE grade. This will consist of 3 design briefs to choose from set by the exam board for which students will produce a working prototype supported with a design and manufacture portfolio. Project themes for coursework have previously included lighting, educational toys, travel, sport, health and safety, environmental issues, food and culture.
What they will learn
Design and Technology students will be expected to research, design, develop and make creative products from various and appropriate materials.
Students will learn about different materials, components, systems, manufacturing processes, hand tools, 3D printing, laser cutting and CNC routing. They will learn how products are manufactured in industry and the current issues surrounding sustainable design. They are also expected to demonstrate high level skills for design, using both hand drawn methods and Computer Aided Design. Elements of this will be covered in the coursework and in revision for a 2:00 exam that makes up the final 50% of their overall GCSE grade.
How it will be assessed
GCSE Coursework consists of 20 A3 pages or equivalent covering research, ideation, designing, testing, making and evaluating. This will make up 50% of their overall GCSE grade. The GCSE exam will consist of a 2:00 hour paper covering a range of the design fundamentals, this also includes some math science.
Exam board
AQA
