DESIGN TECHNOLOGY

FOOD & NUTRITION
DESIGN TECHNOLOGY
Key Stage 3
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In Design Technology, the KS3 Curriculum content has been chosen to engage our students using topical environmental and social issues and a range iterative design challenges.  In addition to this, we will be developing core principle skills and knowledge within each year of KS3 to build a foundation of knowledge across the key stage with the overarching objective that our students will begin to develop culturally rich understanding of the subject that can encourage learning in KS4 and in STEM careers in the future.

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Design Technology, Food & Nutrition and Textiles are delivered over Two units in KS3, where students will learn a combination of each subject twice. 

 

For example:

Design Technology 
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Unit 1

  • Workshop safety

  • Sustainability

  • Iterative design process

  • Development of hand tool skills

  • High quality finishing skills

  • Model making

  • Graphics

  • Computer Aided Design & Manufacture

 

Unit 2

  • Sustainability

  • Computer Aided Design and Manufacture

  • Branding and advertising through Graphics Products

  • Iterative design process

  • Product Development

  • Use of hand tools

  • Electronics

  • Soldering  

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Key Stage 4

 

AQA Design and Technology GCSE

 

Practical application of:

  • Core technical principles

  • Specialist technical principles

  • Designing and making principles

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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. Students will produce a prototype and a portfolio of evidence.

 

Written exam: 2 hours

100 marks

50% of GCSE

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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: July 2021

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