KS4 DT Resistant materials

GCSE Design and Technology is an exciting and creative course which
focuses on problem solving and practical skills. GCSE Design and
Technology requires students to develop skills and understanding in
both designing and making products. Our pupils will build on and apply a
repertoire of knowledge, understanding and skills in order to design and
make high-quality prototypes and products for a wide range of users.

Our curriculum focuses on three threads:

Knowledge - building knowledge about materials, processes and production methods.
Developing - designing and communicating ideas.
Making - using materials to make products.

As students move though the curriculum they will become increasingly confident in knowledge, developing and making.

Exam board:

AQA GCSE Design Technology

How is the course examined?:

1 x 2 hour written exam (50%). This focuses on core technical principles, specialist technical principles and designing and making principles.
1 x Coursework (50%). The context is set by the exam board on June 1st in
Year 10. Students will identify a problem they wish to solve, they will then research, produce a design specification, produce design proposals and develop proposals through modelling by hand and using CAD. The final product is then tested and evaluated.

How is the course structured?

Year 10

Year 11

Term 1:

Design and Make

Workshop Safety
Skills Project Box with CAD/CAM lid

Theory

Technology in Manufacturing
Production Systems
Product Sustainability
Products in Society
Powering Systems
Properties of Materials

Term 2:

Design and Make

Bottle Opener

Theory

Paper Board Timber
Metals Alloys
Polymers
Textiles
Manufactured Boards
New Smart Materials

Term 3:

Design and Make

Memphis inspired Lighting / Phone Holder

Theory

Electronic Systems 1
Electronic Systems 2
Mechanical Systems 1
Mechanical Systems 2
Forces and Stresses
Scale of Production

Term 4:

Design and Make

Memphis inspired Lighting / Phone Holder

Theory

QA and QC
Production Aids
Sources of Materials
Stock Forms + Standard Components
Uses of Wood/Metals/Polymers and Modifying materials

Term 5:

Design and Make

Press formed dish
Wind Chime

Theory

Finishing Techniques
Shaping Materials Power and Machine Tools
Shaping Techniques
Moulding and Jointing
Jointing 2

Term 6:

Coursework - design brief released 1st June

Exploring the context
Identifying a problem
Research

Theory

Designers + Movements
Revision 1
Revision 2

Term 1:

Coursework

Design Brief
Design Specification
Generating Ideas

Theory

Form / Function / Aesthetics
Communicating Ideas
Sustainability

Term 2:

Coursework

Design Development

Theory

Making Prototypes
Maths in DT

Term 3:

Coursework

Making a Final Prototype

Revision

Term 4:

Coursework

Testing and Evaluation
Front Cover and contents

Revision

Term 5:

Revision

Why is the course sequenced this way?

Year 10 focuses on the examined content of the course. Students will have one theory lesson a week. Through the year we build the students’ knowledge and understanding of the core elements of GCSE Design and Technology. This builds on their knowledge and skills acquired from KS3. Throughout Year 10 students will also have practical opportunities to apply knowledge and skills through project work.

Year 11 is then focused on coursework completion where students can apply the knowledge and skills learned from Year 10. Once coursework is finished we return to revise the examined content ready for the summer exam.

What is the best way to revise?

Seneca Learning quizzes - remember we do AQA Design and Technology
Recommended revision guide - CGP
Design & Technology GCSE Revision Guide: Pocket Posters