Design Technology
James knew he was onto something, but it would take time to perfect his idea.
Five years and 5,127 prototypes later, he created DC01, the world's first bagless vacuum cleaner.
Curriculum Plans
Year 7, 8 & 9
What are we studying?
See curriculum plan above.
How are we assessed?
Practical work is assessed throughout the rotation and students will complete a theory assessment in week five. Students will be given skills and knowledge expectation sheets for theory and a practical success criterion at the start of the rotation to outline learning expectations.
Students will be given the opportunity to P4P theory assessments to improve their score. Practical will be assessed throughout and at the end of the rotation a practical, theory assessment and P4P score is added together and a mean mark generated.
The rotation is split 50:50 for both theory and practical assessment.
What can parents do to help?
Use the skills and knowledge organiser and expectation sheets on Teams / Class charts to support revision.
Help/allow students to participate in any DIY projects at home.
Support completion of home work tasks and encourage the reading of related books/magazines or watching TV programmes e.g. inside the factory or the repair shop.
Where can this subject take you? Career opportunities
Further study opportunities at Parkside (GCSE & GCE DT).
Apprenticeship
Design degrees
Creative industries
The creative industry is one of the largest in this country with a wealth of professions on offer such as interior designer, computer game designer or an architect to name just a few.
If you think about it everything you use on a daily basis has been designed. Some may have been developed and improved; whilst others are completely new!
Year 10 & 11
What are we studying?
See curriculum plan above.
How are we assessed?
Classwork (practical and theory work) and home learning is assessed throughout the course.
Students will be given success criteria and GCSE grade descriptors linked to the work.
Pupils final GCSE grade will be a combination of their controlled assessment and a written exam. Each is worth 50% of their final grade.
In year 10 students will complete a series of ‘skills building’ mini projects to best prepare them for completing their NEA Coursework.
A mock exam for theory learnt in year 10 will be sat to determine progress made so far.
In year 11 students will select one of the three design briefs released by AQA.
Students must complete the following:
- A NEA coursework project submitted in A3 format on 20 - 25 pages.
- A design and make activity starting with a design brief that fits with one of AQAs set task themes.
- Construction of a product designed to demonstrate a wide range of technical skills with independence, creativity and accuracy using effective time management and demonstrating competent safety procedures.
- Use of communication techniques is also assessed, including ICT and CAD to produce the portfolio of creative skills.
Examination (GCSE)
- Worth 50% of overall qualification
- 120-minute examination in Year 11
What can parents do to help?
- Help/allow students to participate in any DIY projects at home.
- Encourage the reading of related books/magazines or the watching of programmes. E.g. BBC Inside the Factory or The Repair Shop.
- Collect a variety of interesting objects to study and or use as reference or to help generate ideas.
- Family visits to museums (especially design/industrial) places of interest with technical interest e.g. windmills/waterwheels and more modern.
- Ask your child to explain the meaning of the technical vocabulary that is new to each topic.
Where can this subject take you? Career opportunities
Further study opportunities at Parkside (GCSE & GCE DT).
Apprenticeship
Design degree
Creative industries
The creative industry is one of the largest in this country with a wealth of professions on offer such as interior designer, computer game designer or an architect to name just a few.
If you think about it everything you use on a daily basis has been designed. Some may have been developed and improved; whilst others are completely new!
Year 12 & 13
What are we studying?
See curriculum plan above.
How are we assessed?
Classwork (practical and theory work) and home learning is assessed throughout the course.
Students will be given success criteria and GCE grade descriptors linked to the work.
Pupils final GCE grade will be a combination of their controlled assessment and two written exams.
NEA = 50%
Paper 1 = 30%
Paper 2 = 20%
In year 12 students will complete a series of ‘skills building’ mini projects to best prepare them for completing their NEA Coursework.
Mock exam(s) for theory learnt in year 12 will be sat to determine progress made so far.
At the end of year 12 into year 13 students will begin their A level NEA. Unlike the GCSE specification students can select the design problem and find a client to work alongside to solve their issue using the iterative design process.
Students must complete the following:
- A substantial design and make NEA coursework project.
- Written or digital design portfolio and photographic evidence of final prototype.
- A design and make activity starting with the design problem brought to their attention by their chosen client.
- Construction of a product designed to demonstrate a wide range of technical skills with independence, creativity and accuracy using effective time management and demonstrating competent safety procedures.
- Use of communication techniques is also assessed, including ICT and CAD to produce the portfolio of creative skills.
What can parents do to help?
- Use the skills and knowledge organiser and expectation sheets on Teams / Class charts to support revision.
- Help/allow students to participate in any DIY projects at home.
- Encourage the reading of related books/magazines or the watching of programmes. E.g. BBC Inside the Factory or The Repair Shop.
- Collect a variety of interesting objects to study and or use as reference or to help generate ideas.
- Family visits to museums (especially design/industrial) places of interest.
- Ask your child to explain the meaning of the technical vocabulary that is new to each topic.
- Encourage and help students to plan their time effectively (especially the use of study sessions) and revision periods in preparation for further study at college or University.
Where can this subject take you? Career opportunities
Further study opportunities at Parkside (GCSE & GCE DT).
Apprenticeship
Design degree
Creative industries
The creative industry is one of the largest in this country with a wealth of professions on offer such as interior designer, computer game designer or an architect to name just a few.
If you think about it everything you use on a daily basis has been designed. Some may have been developed and improved; whilst others are completely new!
