GCSE DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY (AQA) Introduction. This course will suit creative pupils who like a challenge, or students who wish to develop their creativity. Students will work creatively to solve practical problems using a range of techniques. Course Aims Students will have opportunities to develop design proposals responding to users’ needs and wants, communicating their design ideas and decisions using different media and techniques. They will develop the skills to critique and refine their own ideas whilst designing and making along with decision making skills, planning and organisation of time and resources when managing their own project work. Students will also develop a broad knowledge of materials to develop high quality, imaginative and functional prototypes whilst considering the costs, commercial viability and marketing of products. Course Content The course will consist of the following elements: 1. Core technical principles: in order to make effective design choices students need to be equipped with technical knowledge including, new and emerging technologies, energy storage, smart materials, designing, and materials and their properties. 2. Specialist technical principles: in addition the core principles students will need an in-depth knowledge of one material area which will be textiles. 3. Designing and making principles: students will use knowledge and skills to demonstrate that they can design and make textile products. In Year 10 students will engage in a series of mini projects in which they will work predominantly with textiles, this is in preparation for the Non Examined Assessment Project which will be carried out in Year 11. Non-Examined Assessment (formerly known as coursework) is a fundamental element of the course and therefore it is important that pupils choosing to study Design and Technology have the ability to organise their own work and meet deadlines. Assessment Written Examination (2 hours) 50% ● Section A – Core technical principles ● Section B - Specialist technical principles ● Section C – Designing and making principles Non-Examined Assessment (NEA) (30-35 hours) 50% This is assessed internally and moderated by the examination board. Tasks are released annually on 1 June in the year prior to the submission of the NEA. Students have some flexibility to choose their project from the context set by the exam board. This is a substantial design and make project. Subject Pathways As well as design and manufacturing skills, transferable skills such as project management, time management and working with others are key features of this course. Universities and employers value the project focus and team working aspects of this subject, and this course would be of particular value to students considering future careers in Designing, and the Textiles Industry.
About Education Provider
| Region | West Midlands |
| Local Authority | Walsall |
| Ofsted Rating | Outstanding |
| Gender Type | Girls |
| Address | Upper Forster Street, Walsall, WS4 2AE |
GCSE DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY (AQA) Introduction. This course will suit creative pupils who like a challenge, or students who wish to develop their creativity. Students will work creatively to solve practical problems using a range of techniques. Course Aims Students will have opportunities to develop design proposals responding to users’ needs and wants, communicating their design ideas and decisions using different media and techniques. They will develop the skills to critique and refine their own ideas whilst designing and making along with decision making skills, planning and organisation of time and resources when managing their own project work. Students will also develop a broad knowledge of materials to develop high quality, imaginative and functional prototypes whilst considering the costs, commercial viability and marketing of products. Course Content The course will consist of the following elements: 1. Core technical principles: in order to make effective design choices students need to be equipped with technical knowledge including, new and emerging technologies, energy storage, smart materials, designing, and materials and their properties. 2. Specialist technical principles: in addition the core principles students will need an in-depth knowledge of one material area which will be textiles. 3. Designing and making principles: students will use knowledge and skills to demonstrate that they can design and make textile products. In Year 10 students will engage in a series of mini projects in which they will work predominantly with textiles, this is in preparation for the Non Examined Assessment Project which will be carried out in Year 11. Non-Examined Assessment (formerly known as coursework) is a fundamental element of the course and therefore it is important that pupils choosing to study Design and Technology have the ability to organise their own work and meet deadlines. Assessment Written Examination (2 hours) 50% ● Section A – Core technical principles ● Section B - Specialist technical principles ● Section C – Designing and making principles Non-Examined Assessment (NEA) (30-35 hours) 50% This is assessed internally and moderated by the examination board. Tasks are released annually on 1 June in the year prior to the submission of the NEA. Students have some flexibility to choose their project from the context set by the exam board. This is a substantial design and make project. Subject Pathways As well as design and manufacturing skills, transferable skills such as project management, time management and working with others are key features of this course. Universities and employers value the project focus and team working aspects of this subject, and this course would be of particular value to students considering future careers in Designing, and the Textiles Industry.