Key Stage 4

At KS4, students have the option to take a GCSE in Design and Technology that enables students to understand and apply iterative design processes through which they explore, create and evaluate a range of outcomes. The qualification enables students to use creativity and imagination to design and make prototypes (together with evidence of modelling to develop and prove product concept and function) that solve real and relevant problems, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. It gives students opportunities to apply knowledge from other disciplines, including mathematics, science, art and design, computing and the humanities.

 
Students will acquire subject knowledge in Design and Technology that builds on Key Stage 3, incorporating knowledge and understanding of different materials and manufacturing processes, in order to design and make, with confidence, prototypes in response to issues, needs, problems and opportunities. Students learn how to take design risks, helping them to become resourceful, innovative and enterprising citizens. They should develop an awareness of practices from the creative, engineering and manufacturing industries. Through the critique of the outcomes of design and technology activity, both historic and present day, students should develop an understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world and understand that high-quality design and technology is important to the creativity, culture, sustainability, wealth and wellbeing of the nation and the global community.

 
Feedback

 
In Years 9 and 10, students are given formative feedback on their work during the lesson, through live marking, with a summative assessment of the focused practical task or design and make task at the end of unit of work.

The qualification has two assessed components, one externally examined paper and one non-examined assessment component, both worth 50% of the marks for the course.
The components are:

 
Component 1 - Written examination (1 hour and 45 minutes)
The paper includes calculations, short‐open and open‐response questions, as well as extended writing questions focused on:

 
• Analysis and evaluation of design decisions and outcomes, against a technical principle, for prototypes made by others.
• Analysis and evaluation of wider issues in design technology, including social, moral, ethical and environmental impacts.

Component 2 - Non‐examined assessment (internally assessed and externally moderated)

 
Three contextual challenges will be provided by the examination board on 1st June each year, from which pupils must choose one to respond to. Students will produce a project which consists of a portfolio and a prototype.

The portfolio will contain approximately 20 to 30 sides of A3 paper (or electronic equivalent).

 
Additional support

 
• Morning intervention – in each 9-week block, students have an additional 7.5 hours of Design and Technology, on a rotation with the other option subjects, during this time they will focus on exam content & technique.
• Period 7 – students complete a period 7 lesson in Design and Technology on a rotation with other option subjects, focusing on their Non-Examined Assessment.