1. Mr Barker Assistant Head of Technology Miss Sweetman
AQA
Design Technology
Mr Barker
Assistant Head of Technology
Miss Sweetman

2. What is Design Technology?
“The study of materials technology to enable students to design and make quality products through the eyes of a designer”

3. What is Design Technology?
New course specification to any previous Design Technology GCSE
Amalgamation of the previous Resistant Materials, Product Design and Textiles
Students will need to study all materials but work closely with a preferred choice

4. Course structure The subject content is separated into 3 areas:
Core technical principles
Specialist technical principles
Designing and making principles

5. Core technical principles
Students will be required to study all areas of Design Technology, closely linked to their work at KS3.
Materials and their properties
New and emerging technologies (smart materials etc.)
Energy generation and storage (finite and infinite)
Systems designing (programmable components)
Mechanical devices

6. Specialist technical principles
The study of at least one of the following areas:
Papers and boards
Timber based materials
Metal based materials
Polymers
Textiles based materials
Electronic and mechanical systems

7. Design and making principles
Using the design process to communicate their ideas
Researching – generating ideas – developing
Using the work of others:
Norman Foster, Phillipe Starck, Alexander McQueen, Vivienne Westwood, Mary Quant, Coco Chanel, William Morris
Alessi, Apple, Dyson, Gap, Primark, Under Armour, Zara

8. Assessment structure There are two key elements to assessment:
2 hour written exam
100 marks, weighted at 50% of the GCSE.
Core principles – 20 marks
Specialist principles – 30 marks
Designing and making principles – 50 marks
NEA (Non-exam assessment)
Approximately hours
100 marks, weighted at 50% of the GCSE
Practical application of key principles (as above)
Based upon a contextual challenge, changed yearly
Students produce a design portfolio and prototype

9. Skills & Qualities needed
Thinking creatively and problem solving
Designing and sketching
Precision in practical making
ICT, in particular CAD
Test , reflect & evaluate

10. Technical drawing
Giving students to opportunity to learn the basics and traditional methods – orthography, one & two point perspective, isometrics and rendering techniques
Learning basic skills in computer aided design in preparation for industry

11. Anticipated Course Timeline
Year 9 & 10 Term 1 & 2 – practice portfolio; skills and challenges
Year 10 Term 3 – design portfolio
Year 11 Term 1 – manufacturing
Year 11 Term 2 & 3 – exam revision

12. Departmental support
Controlled assessment stipulates that all coursework must be completed in timed sessions during lessons.
Skills lessons to focus on particular areas that assist students, for example, CAD/CAM (laser cutting)
Extra curricular sessions during lunches and afterschool
Access to specialist equipment and machinery only available at KS4
Extra curricular trips – Grand Designs, Victoria and Albert Museum , Ikea, Bell Foundry?

13. Career pathways
Students usually go on to study A-levels in Product Design, 3-D Design, Interior Design and other design and make-based courses to suit and lead to university choices. Possible careers include:
Architecture
The Fashion Industry
Town Planning
Interior Design
Product Design
3-D Modelling
Stage / Set / Prop building
Professional Cabinet Making

14. Why opt for Design Technology?
Diverse GCSE choice
Relaxed learning environment
60% coursework
Enjoy designing and being creative
Application of sciences and maths to real-life practical situation