Design Technology
Subject Leader: Mrs A Clarke
If you wish to learn more about our curriculum please contact the Subject Lead by clicking on their name above.
Key Stage 4
GCSE in Design and Technology
Exam Board: Eduqas
Course Overview
The course allows learners to identify and solve real problems by designing and making products or systems. Through studying GCSE Design and Technology, learners will study in an increasingly technological world; and be aware of, and learn from, wider influences on design and technology, including historical, social/cultural, environmental and economic factors.
Component 1: Design and Technology in the 21st Century (Exam)
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Technical principles Designing and making principles - analyse and evaluate design decisions and wider issues in design and technology.
Component 2: Design and Make (Coursework)
This is a design and make task, based on a contextual challenge set by the exam board. The following skills and abilities are assessed:
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Identify, investigate and outline design possibilities Designing and making prototypes Analysing and evaluating design decisions Wider issues in design and technology.
Assessment: 50% Exam, 50% Coursework
Curriculum Content
Year 7
Pupils are on a carousel with Food Technology and will spend 20 weeks of the school year in Design Technology. They will develop skills and knowledge in the following:
- Health and safety
- Workshop (manufacturing techniques, tools and machinery)
- Materials
- Drawing techniques
- The design process
- Computer Aided Design
- Programming
Term 1-3/3-6 : What do we need to consider when designing, creating and evaluating a product?
Projects: Designing and producing keyring prototypes for varied materials
Year 8
Pupils are on a carousel with Food Technology and will spend 20 weeks of the school year in Design Technology. They will develop skills and knowledge in the following:
- Health and safety
- Workshop (manufacturing techniques, tools and machinery)
- Materials
- Drawing techniques
- The design process
- Computer Aided Design
- Programming
- Electronics
Term 1-3/3-6 : What do we need to consider when designing, creating and evaluating a product?
Projects: Anglepoise Lamp
Year 9
Pupils are on a carousel with Food Technology and will spend 20 weeks of the school year in Design Technology. They will develop skills and knowledge in the following:
- Health and safety
- Workshop (manufacturing techniques, tools and machinery)
- Materials
- Drawing techniques
- The design process
- Computer Aided Design
- Programming
- Mechanism
Term 1-3/3-6 : Term 6 : What do we need to consider when designing, creating and evaluating a product?
Projects: Dispenser
Year 10 & 11
Pupils have three lessons per week. Two focus on coursework and practical elements and one lesson is theory work and preparation for exams. Year 10 pupils are set a project to design and make a prototype of a lamp from a given context. This takes them on the design journey, knowledge and skill required for year 11 coursework.
Year 10
Term 1: What information should be gathered to inform design decisions? How can investigations inform the brief and design specification?
Term 2: How can we effectively communicate design ideas? How can we determine the best methods to manufacture a prototype?
What are the advantages of mechanical devices and components and how can these be used in everyday products?
Term 3: How can we effectively communicate design ideas? How can we determine the best methods to manufacture a prototype?
Term 4: What information should we use to evaluate and analyse products and ideas? How can new and emerging technologies inform design decisions?
Term 5: How can new and emerging technologies inform design decisions?
Term 6: How do electronic systems provide functionality to products and processes? How can designers determine the suitability of materials for a product?
Year 11
Term1: What information should be gathered to inform design decisions? How can investigations inform the brief and design specification?
Term 2: How can we effectively communicate design ideas? How can we determine the best methods to manufacture a prototype?
Term 3: How can we effectively communicate design ideas? How can we determine the best methods to manufacture a prototype?
Term 4: What information should we use to evaluate and analyse products and ideas? How can new and emerging technologies inform design decisions?
Term 5: Preparation for examinations
Term 6: Preparation for examinations
Useful Information
Websites
Out of School Learning (OSL) and Extracurricular Activities
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GCSE OSL runs every Friday after school from 3:05pm-4pm.
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After school activities run every Monday 3:05pm - 4pm