Please note: You can only select one GCSE Design and Technology option

Design and Technology GCSE

“Our economy is facing shortages of science, technology, engineering and maths skills, and to secure growth in high-value sectors we need more young people with practical D&T skills. The design and technology students of today are the engineers and technicians of tomorrow.” 

A GCSE in Design & Technology has 2 course options:

1. GCSE Design and Technology: Textile Technology (see further down this page)
2. GCSE Design and Technology: Product Design (follow this link)

What is our curriculum intent?

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 including historical, social, cultural, environmental and economic factors. Students will get the opportunity to work creatively when designing and making and apply technical and practical expertise.

The GCSE allows students to study core technical and designing and making principles, including a broad range of design processes, materials techniques and equipment. They will also have the opportunity to study specialist technical principles in greater depth.

Common to each of the design and technology courses are the core principals with the emphasis being on designing and making both functional and aesthetically pleasing products, building on the knowledge and understanding of industrial practices and applying processes and techniques developed at Key Stage 3. The core principals will allow students to undertake the iterative design process of exploring, creating and evaluating.

1. Core technical principles – the knowledge and understanding needed to make effective design choices
2. Specialist technical principles – in-depth knowledge and understanding of their chosen design area (textile technology, product design or electronics)
3. Designing and making principles – designing within a wide range of contexts to satisfy wants or needs relating to their chosen design area

Students must also demonstrate mathematical and scientific knowledge and understanding, in relation to design and technology.

Students can only do one of the Design and Technology courses and they must be encouraged to discuss the most appropriate course with their class teacher.

Design and Technology GCSE: Textile Technology

How do we implement our curriculum?

The AQA GCSE Design & Technology: textiles technology course incorporates both practical activity and theoretical elements. Students will develop skills such as research, analysis, investigation, problem solving, designing, communication and construction methods related to textiles. The context can be either a) fashion garments and accessories or b) furnishings which enhance indoor and outdoor spaces and environments. Students will also explore industrial practices and the alternative aspects to a career in design such as marketing, advertising and branding.

The course enables students to combine designing and making skills with knowledge and understanding to design and make individual textile products which will be functional, creative, aesthetically pleasing and challenging. They must work skilfully and precisely in order to produce a quality product and be able to reflect on their progress and review critically their final outcomes.

Students have the opportunity to apply skills, knowledge and understanding from other subjects including art, information technology, mathematics and science.

Students work both individually and as members of a team to develop technological capability through activities, which involve:

• a range of contexts_, materials and processes;
• selecting and using material resources effectively;
• developing practical ability and designing with confidence;
• making and modifying products;
• considering the effects and implications of technological activity;
• encouraging their critical and aesthetic abilities enabling them to evaluate design and technological activity including their own.

Students who enjoy developing creative ideas into quality textile products will find the course very interesting. It is particularly relevant for students who wish to follow a career in either fashion or interior design.

How can students be supported through learning at home?

Homework is directly linked to class work; it is set on a regular basis each week, and involves research, recall, preparation of topic material and practical work related to design work.

How do we measure the impact of the course?

All ongoing work is formatively assessed and both verbal and written feedback given. Where we can, we relate progress against the GCSE marking criteria.

Non-exam Assessment - 50 % (30-35hrs)

· In the summer of Year 10 students will choose a project title from a range of contextual challenges best suited to their specialism of textiles. They will then go on to complete a substantial design and make task, which will consist of a design portfolio and a final textile product (prototype). Students need to have good organisational skills and be highly motivated to successfully tackle the contextual challenge.

• Contextual challenges are to be released annually by AQA on 1 June in the year prior to the submission
• Students will produce a working prototype and a portfolio of evidence (max 20 pages)
• Work will be marked by teachers and moderated by AQA

Written Paper – 50% (2 hours duration)

• 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.

• Section C – Designing and making principles (50 marks)A mixture of short answer and extended response questions including a 12 mark design question.

What extra opportunities to learn are available?

• The Textile Xtra group is for those students who want to further their skills in the subject - students attending these classes are encouraged to coach each other and lead sessions for younger students.
• We also offer “drop in” sessions after school to support students with their coursework.

What websites do we recommend?

The current examination board specification can be found at:

• http://www.aqa.org.uk/subjects/design-and-technology/gcse/design-and-technology-8552

Students looking to consolidate, enrich or extend their knowledge and understanding might start at:

• http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/design/textiles/
• http://www.bbc.co.uk/education/subjects/zvg4d2p

Contact

Mrs N Firth -nifrth@wilmslowhigh.com

Curriculum Team Leader Art, Design & Technology with Computing

Mrs K Regan - kregan@wilmslowhigh.com

Team Leader - Design Technology