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KS4 Design Technology

KS4: 

What’s in it for me? 

Design and Technology will prepare you to participate confidently and successfully in an increasingly technological world. You will gain awareness and learn from wider influences on Design and Technology including historical, social, cultural, environmental and economic factors. You will get the opportunity to work creatively when designing and making and apply technical and practical expertise. Our GCSE allows you 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.

How could it help with my future? 

The course is good preparation for progression to A Level in Design Technology, or a suitable college/ vocational course. Depending on the options you take, it could lead towards a wide range of careers in the Design field including Product Design, Graphic Design and Carpentry. 

What are some of the things I’ll learn? 

Design Technology is about researching, planning, making, and reflecting on your work. Throughout Design Technology you will learn about different cultures and apply that knowledge to your design projects. To achieve this you will learn about different materials and the techniques used to shape and mould them, using a variety of machines and hand tools.

How will my work be assessed? 

This GCSE has a written exam that is worth 50% of your grade, it lasts for 2 hours and is split into the following sections:

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

The other 50% is based on Design and Make coursework called the NEA (Non Exam Assessment)

Non Exam Assessment Objectives: 

  • Identifying and investigating design possibilities
  • Producing a design brief and specification
  • Generating design ideas
  • Developing design ideas
  • Realising design ideas
  • Analysing & evaluating

What grades could I get? 

  • You’ll get a grade for the written exam 9-1 and a grades 9-1 for each unit of the NEA   

Got any more questions? 

If you think this GCSE is right for you, why not have a chat with your Design Technology teacher? 

For further information, please contact Gemma or Karl