Page 18 - Key Stage 4 Information Booklet 2022 - 2023 (1)

Design and Technology – Head of Department: Mr M Button

Specification: Pearson Edexcel 1DT0 (GCSE)

https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/design-and-technology-2017.html

GCSE Design and Technology is taught through a combination of theory and practical lessons. We aim to cover
the knowledge and skills necessary by building on the work covered in Key Stage 3. The course has two parts,
an exam at the end of year 11 and a piece of non-examined assessment or N.E.A. (coursework). These two
parts are worth 50% of the marks each.

The theory part of the course is tested in a one hour and 45-minute exam in June of year 11. The exam has 2
sections. Section 1 will cover the core subject knowledge. This includes all aspects of design and technology,
including topics such as: new and emerging technologies, smart and modern materials, energy generation,
mechanical devices and electronic systems and programmable components. The second section of the paper
will focus on papers and boards. It includes topics such as material properties, manufacturing processes,
environmental issues and forces and stresses.
It's important to us that students know how to apply the knowledge that they learn; in fact, you might think
about Design and Technology at GCSE as a subject where you learn how to do something useful with the theory
knowledge that you cover in subjects like Maths, Science and Geography. Many of our theory topics are backed
up by practical activities.

We start the N.E.A. in June of Year 10. Each year the exam board gives us six topics to choose between;
students have a free choice of these six contexts. Once they’ve decided which context to focus on, they have
to develop a project from that topic which solves a problem by designing and making a product. We
encourage students to find a real client to design and make the product for, meaning that each project is
unique, and each product is different. We have had students make electronic products, furniture, textiles
products, just about anything you can imagine really, using a variety of different materials, manufacturing
processes and techniques. As long as the product solves the problem, then that's fine.
As a course, it's all about problem solving; it’s about identifying problems and then designing and making
solutions to those problems. This might be the right course for you if you see yourself going into a
manufacturing industry, or a design industry. It might be the right course for you because you've got a skill
set that's very complementary; you might have strong drawing skills, you might be good at making things,
you might have a good imagination, or you might just be the kind of person who's curious about the world
around you and wants to understand how things tick.
Britain has a proud history of design and manufacturing, and we feel passionate about the role that we have
to play in helping that to continue. Many of the best paid jobs in the country focus on healthcare, finance
and design and manufacturing. There is significant demand for young people to enter all of the fields of
engineering, manufacturing and the design and development industries.
At Hagley we have three fully equipped workshops, each with specialist facilities, including a full suite of
laptops, CAD CAM machines, a laser cutter, a 3D printer and all the usual workshop machinery and
equipment that you would expect. There are no limits on what you can design and manufacture, if you can
imagine it and it is possible in our workshops, then you can make it.
We have had students go on from us to work in all areas of design and manufacturing from electricians,
carpenters and plasterers to product designers, people managing their own design or manufacturing
companies, electrical engineering, coding, and programming and even aeronautical and submarine design.
We are teaching important, transferrable skills such as teamwork, communication skills and organisation,
project management and time keeping. All skills that employers are looking for and value.
This isn’t an easy course, but it’s varied, challenging and you’ll learn loads of new skills and techniques. So, if
you are interested in Design and Technology at GCSE and you want to know more feel free to contact us in

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