Key Stage 4
Year 10
Students are taken on a truly creative journey where they develop their own design style. This includes entering the design museum competition to learning how to use the laser cutter, industry standard CAD/CAM programs and 3D printer. Students build a tool kit of workshop knowledge working in the traditional material groups and making processes. They also explore the latest SMART materials and manufacturing processes through completing a range of creative projects that leads to the non-examination assessment practice.
Year 11
Students are offered a range of design contexts to explore leading to a personalised design brief. The design brief allows students to take their own creative journey to solve identified problems. It promotes a truly creative path of CAD modelling, rapid prototyping and iterative mix media designing. This leads to a unique outcome that is project managed to a fully operational prototype stage and is supported by precise technical drawings and a progressive evaluation leading to suitable improvements possibilities.
Design and Technology offers a unique opportunity in the curriculum for learners to identify and solve real problems by designing and making products or systems. Through studying GCSE Design and Technology, learners will be prepared to participate confidently and successfully in an increasingly technological world; and be aware of, and learn from, wider influences on design and technology, including historical, social/cultural, environmental and economic factors.
The subject content is presented under two headings: technical principles and designing and making principles. Within each area, the content is further divided into core knowledge and understanding and in-depth knowledge and understanding.
Learners will complete two components outlined below:
Component 1: Design and Technology in the 21st Century – Written examination: 2 hours – 50% of qualification
A mix of short answer, structured and extended writing questions assessing candidates’ knowledge and understanding of:
- technical principles
- designing and making principles
along with their ability to
- analyse and evaluate design decisions and wider issues in design and technology.
Component 2: Design and make task – Non-exam assessment: approximately 35 hours – 50% of qualification
A sustained design and make task, based on a contextual challenge set by the exam board, assessing candidates’ ability to:
- identify, investigate and outline design possibilities
- design and make prototypes
- analyse and evaluate design decisions and wider issues in design and technology.
Year 10
| Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 | Term 4 | Term 5 | Term 6 |
|---|
| Timbers-Design and making principles | Electronics systems and Mechnical devices. | Smart, Modern, Composite and New Materials. | Design Museum Research trip. Iconic design project. | NEA Practice - Prototyping/Contexts | NEA year 11 Context release - Identifying and investigating design |
Year 11
| Term 1 | Term 2 | Term 3 | Term 4 | Term 5 | Term 6 |
|---|
NEA – Sketchbook Context Challenges Analysis Moodboards x3
Problems/Opportunities Designer Research
Potential Users/Client Profile
| NEA - Portfolio & Making Existing Products
Mini Brief/
Mini Specification
Customer Profile/Customer interview
Final Specification (Electronic)
Final Design Brief (Circle Map) | NEA – Making Initial Design/ S.C.A.M.P.E.R
Post-it Iteration
Developed Designs/
Peer, Client Feedback
Model Making x2
GANTT Chart/ QC | NEA Testing, Evaluation, Modifications Final Design Presentation
Drawing
CAD/ Finishes
Material Testing
Technical Drawing | Exam Revision Evaluation Feedback/Testing Improvements | GCSE Exams |
