Design & Technology

The GCSE in Design and Technology enables pupils to understand and apply iterative design processes through which they explore, create and evaluate a range of outcomes. The qualification enables pupils 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 pupils opportunities to apply knowledge from other disciplines, including Mathematics, Science, Art and Design, Computer Science and the Humanities. Pupils learn how to take design risks, helping them to become resourceful, innovative and enterprising citizens.

Where can this subject take you? 

Studying Design and Technology opens the door to a world of creativity, innovation, and real-world problem solving. It can lead to diverse opportunities for further education and career opportunities including Engineering, Architecture, Product Design, Furniture Design, Sustainable Design, Robotics, Material Science and many more. By exploring materials, design principles, engineering concepts and digital tools, you build skills that are valued across many modern industries.

Course Content/Structure 

Component 1: 

Pupils must complete the core content (Section 1) and any one from the following material categories: 

• Metals 
• Papers and Boards 
• Polymers 
• Systems 
• Textiles 
• Timbers 

Component 2: 

Pupils will undertake a project based on a contextual challenge released a year before certification. 

The project will test pupils’skills in investigating, designing, making and evaluating a prototype of a product. 

The task will be internally assessed and externally moderated.

Assessment

Component 1 :
The written paper of 1 hour and 45 minutes consists of two sections and is worth 50% of the qualification (100 marks). 

• Section A: Core – This section is 40 marks and contains a mixture of different question styles, including open-response, graphical, calculation and extended-open-response questions. There will be ten marks of calculation questions in Section A. 
• Section B: Material Categories – This section is 60 marks and contains a mixture of different question styles, including open response, graphical, calculation and extended open response questions. There will be five marks of calculation questions in Section B. 

Component 2:
The non-examined assessment is worth 50% of the qualification. The marks are awarded for each part as follows:

• Investigate (16 marks)
• Design (42 marks)
• Evaluate (6 marks)

Additional Information

Exam Board:
EDEXCEL GCSE

Head of Department:
Christie Rose – cnr@rydeschool.net