There are four different GCSE Design & Technology subjects offered:
- Resistant Materials
- Graphic Products
- Food Preparation and Nutrition
- Textiles
GCSE COURSE DESCRIPTIONS:
Resistant Materials Technology GCSE - Exam Board: AQA
Aim: Resistant Materials helps students develop the ability to design and make products with creativity and originality, using a range of materials and techniques.
This specification requires students to develop their knowledge of woods, metals, plastics and composite materials. Other materials may also be used and the use of new technologies is encouraged.
| UNIT 1 |
UNIT 2 |
|
Written Paper (Exam)
2 hours
120 marks
40% of the GCSE
|
Design & Making Practice (Controlled Assessment)
Approximately 45 hours
90 marks
60% of the GCSE
|
|
The written paper is divided into two sections;
Section A is a design question which is based on a theme chosen by the exam board. Pre-Release material is issued to students months ahead of the exam, enabling them to familiarize themselves with the given theme, and maximise opportunities to respond to section A creatively and considerately.
Section B contains questions related to Materials and components, Design and market influences, Social, moral, cultural,
environmental, sustainability and economic issues, Health and safety and Industrial practices to name but a few.
|
The controlled assessment consists of a single design and make activity, selected from a range of exam board set tasks. Approximately 25 pages of research, design and evaluative work are submitted along with a final product primarily made from wood, metal and/or plastic. The work is assessed according to the following categories:
- Investigating the design context
- Development of design proposals (including modelling)
- Making
- Testing and Evaluation
- Communication
|
GRAPHIC PRODUCTS GCSE - EXAM BOARD: AQA
Aim: Graphic Products enables students to design and make products with creativity and originality, using a range of graphic and modelling materials.
Students will be enthused and challenged by the range of practical activities possible. They will be encouraged to learn to use, understand and apply colour and design through images, to develop spatial concepts, and to understand graphic materials and their manipulation. They will design and make product(s) using graphic media and new technologies to prepare them for the world of work.
| UNIT 1 |
UNIT 2 |
|
Written Paper (Exam)
2 hours –120 marks
40% of GCSE
|
Design & Making Practice (Controlled Assessment)
Approximately 45 hours
90 marks
60% of the GCSE
|
|
The written paper is divided into two sections;
Section A is a design question which is based on a theme chosen by the exam board. Pre-Release material is issued to students months ahead of the exam, enabling them to familiarize themselves with the given theme, and maximise opportunities to respond to section A creatively and considerately.
Section B contains questions related to Materials and components, Design and market influences, Social, moral, cultural, environmental, sustainability and economic issues, Health and safety and Industrial practices to name but a few.
|
The controlled assessment consists of a single design and make activity, selected from a range of exam board set tasks. Approximately 25 pages of research, design and evaluative work are submitted along with a final product primarily made from paper, card and/or plastic. The work is assessed according to the following categories:
- Investigating the design context
- Development of design proposals (including modelling)
- Making
- Testing and Evaluation
- Communication
|
GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition - Exam Board: AQA
Aim : Food Technology helps students develop their creativity, with the making of food products a vital feature of this specification. The two unit specification requires students to develop their application of knowledge and understanding when developing ideas, planning, producing products and evaluating them.
| COMPONENT 1 |
COMPONENT 2 |
|
Written Paper (Exam)
2 hours
120 marks
40% of the GCSE
|
Design & Making Practice (Controlled Assessment)
Approximately 45 hours
90 marks
60% of the GCSE
|
|
The written paper is divided into two sections;
Section A is a design question which is based on a theme chosen by the exam board. Pre-Release material is issued to students months ahead of the exam, enabling them to familiarize themselves with the given theme, and maximise opportunities to respond to section A creatively and considerately.
Section B contains questions designed for students to evidence their understanding of the functional properties of food, the effects of combining different ingredients, the nutritional properties of foods, storage of food and manufacturing, to name but a few areas
|
The controlled assessment consists of a single design and make activity, selected from a range of exam board set tasks. Approximately 25 pages of research, design and evaluative work are submitted along with evidence of several sweet and savoury dishes that have been made. The work is assessed according to the following categories:
- Investigating the design context
- Development of design proposals (including modelling)
- Making
- Testing and Evaluation
- Communication
|
*As of September 2016, the GCSE Food Technology course will be replaced by GCSE Food Preparation & Nutrition in accordance to the changes of the Design & Technology
GCSE TEXTILES
EXAM BOARD: AQA
Aim: There is one tier of assessment covering grades A* to G.
Textiles Products covers a wide range of topics including sports fashion, natural forms, morphing product, child’s play and sustainability. Over the two years of the course you will develop a whole range of creative designing and making skills, technical knowledge and understanding relating to textiles products and invaluable transferable skills such as problem solving and time management.
This two-unit specification requires students to develop their ability to make textile products, a vital feature of candidates' experience of taking this specification.
| UNIT 1 |
UNIT 2 |
|
Written Paper (Exam)
2 hours
120 marks
40% of the GCSE
|
Design & Making Practice (Controlled Assessment)
Approximately 45 hours
90 marks
60% of the GCSE
|
|
The written paper is divided into two sections;
Section A is a design question which is based on a theme chosen by the exam board. Pre-Release material is issued to students months ahead of the exam, enabling them to familiarize themselves with the given theme, and maximise opportunities to respond to section A creatively and considerately.
Section B contains questions related to Materials and components, Design and market influences, Social, moral, cultural, environmental, sustainability and economic issues, Health and safety and Industrial practices to name but a few
|
The controlled assessment consists of a single design and make activity, selected from a range of exam board set tasks. Approximately 25 pages of research, design and evaluative work are submitted along with a final textiles based product or garment. The work is assessed according to the following categories:
- Investigating the design context
- Development of design proposals (including modelling)
- Making
- Testing and Evaluation
- Communication
|