For further information about Design and Technology at St John's please contact L Maddison (lmaddison@stjohnsrc.org.uk)
Curriculum information
AQA GCSE Design and Technology
This new GCSE 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 get the opportunity to work creatively when designing and making and apply technical and practical expertise.
Our 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.
Subject Content:
- Core technical principles
- Specialist technical principles
- Designing and making principles
Students will work with a range of different materials (plastics, wood, metal, card, paperboard and fabric) covering all aspects of the specification.
Assessment:
Written Examination (2 hours) 50% of GCSE
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.
Non-Exam Assessment (NEA)
What's assessed
Practical application of:
- Core technical principles
- Specialist technical principles
- Designing and making principles
How it's assessed
- Non-exam assessment (NEA): 30–35 hours approx
- 100 marks
- 50% of GCSE
Task(s)
- 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
- Students will produce a prototype and a portfolio of evidence.