D&T at GCSE

At GCSE three entirely distinct courses are offered by the department:

Graphic Products (OCR)

Specialist areas include: graphic presentation, computer aided design, computer aided manufacture and materials selection.

Resistant Materials (OCR)

Specialist areas include: materials classification, materials technology, component identification, computer aided design and computer aided manufacture.

System & Control (AQA)

Specialist areas include: electronic systems, mechanical systems, computer control, automation and industrial & commercial practices.

All are two year courses, with six 55 minute periods per week. Set sizes vary between 8 and 14. On average just over half the year group take one of the three Design & Technology options as GCSE.

Previous experience of Design & Technology is desirable but not essential.

Aims

The core aims of all specifications are:

to encourage candidates to combine their designing and making skills with knowledge and understanding, in order to design and make quality products;to promote design and technology capability in candidates through activities which involve a range of contexts, materials and processes, and to lead to practical results;to give opportunities to develop practical abilities and the confidence to design, make and modify products for identified purposes, selecting and using resources effectively;to encourage the development of candidates’ critical and aesthetic abilities, enabling them to evaluate design and technology activity, including their own, in the context of an identified need;to encourage candidates to consider the effects and implications of technological activity;to encourage candidates to consider the effects and implications of technological activity;to provide for activities which cross subject boundaries and give candidates opportunities to work both individually and as a member of a team.