Design Technology

Programme of study

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 work creatively when designing, making and applying technical and practical expertise.

How is the course structured & assessed?

This is a two year course with content broken into two main assessments. 

Externally assessed examination

Section A: Core technical principles (20 marks)

A mixture of multiple choice and short answer questions assessing a breadth of technical knowledge and understanding.

Section B: Specialist technical principles (30 marks)

Several short answer questions (2–5 marks) and one extended response to assess a more in depth knowledge of technical principles.

Internally assessed controlled assessment

Section C: Designing and making principles (50 marks)

Practical application of:

• Core technical principles
• Specialist technical principles
• Designing and making principles

The controlled assessment

Non-exam assessment (NEA): 30–35 hours (100 marks) substantial design and make task. Assessment criteria:

Identifying and investigating design possibilities, producing a design brief and specification, generating design ideas, developing design ideas, realising design ideas, analysing & evaluating.

What can these qualifications lead to?

Learners who achieve this qualification can progress onto further Level 3 qualifications and A Levels, such as Advanced GCE in Design Technology Product Design in our Sixth Form.

You will gain a broad understanding of the properties of materials and commercial practice in related industries. You will also develop practical skills which will enable you to produce practical outcomes manufactured from woods, metals and plastics. You will be expected to apply technical and practical expertise to ensure that a product meets a manufacturing specification and is suitable for its intended purpose.