DESIGN TECHNOLOGY

Key Stage 3

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Year 7

• Workshop safety 

• Sustainability 

• Iterative design process 

• Development of hand tool skills 

• Model making 

• Graphics 

• Computer Aided Design & Manufacture 

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Year 8

• Model making 

• Graphics 

• Making and developing nets 

• Use of a range of machinery 

• High quality finishing skills 

• CAD / CAM 

Year 9

• Sustainability 

• Branding 

• Iterative design process 

• Product Development 

• Use of hand tools 

• Electronics 

• CAD (Computer Aided Design) 

Key Stage 4

AQA Design and Technology GCSE

Practical application of:

• Core technical principles

• Specialist technical principles

• Designing and making principles

Non-exam assessment (NEA): 30–35 hours approx - 100 marks

50% of GCSE Substantial design and make task

Assessment criteria:

Identifying and investigating design possibilities

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• Producing a design brief and specification

• Generating design ideas

• Developing design ideas

• Realising design ideas

• Analysing & evaluating

In the spirit of the iterative design process, the above should be awarded holistically where they take place and not in a linear manner.

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Students will produce a prototype and a portfolio of evidence

Work will be marked by teachers and moderated by AQA

Written exam: 2 hours

100 marks

50% of GCSE

Questions

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.

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Last updated: September 2019

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