The GCSE in Design and Technology enables students to understand and apply iterative design processes through which they explore, create and evaluate products.
The qualification enables students to use creativity and imagination to design and make prototypes of products that solve real-life and relevant problems, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values.
The course is a GCSE which seeks to prepare students to:
• Take design risks, helping them to become resourceful, innovative and enterprising citizens
• Develop an understanding of the impact of design and technology on daily life and the wider world
• Participate confidently and successfully in an increasingly technological world through the study and use of CAD
(Computer-Aided Design) and CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing)
• Develop practical skills including the use of hand tools and specialist machinery for cutting, shaping, casting,
moulding, joining and finishing a range of materials
• Develop an understanding of commercial and industrial processes and an in-depth knowledge of materials and
their properties.
During Year 10 students will study key knowledge theory plus, practical skills and techniques through a range of projects chosen to prepare them for their major project in Year 11.
In Year 10 students will continue to study key knowledge concurrently with their non-examined coursework.
Examination board: Edexcel
At KS4, students use Personalised
Learning Checklists to inform themselves of areas of concern. From a
very early age, we challenge students to think, act and speak as those
working in the field would. We do this by challenging students beyond
their first response. Students carry out practical work in each topic,
where appropriate, in a responsible manner and use skills they have
acquired from KS3, for example how to record, analyse, represent data
and draw conclusions from it. This is reinforced at KS4 where required
practical booklets have been designed to include all practical skills
and keywords students need to address during their course. Independent
learning is fortified through resources available using our Science
Website and Class Charts. Recent review of misconceptions within key
areas of KS3 will further develop students towards correct use of
science concepts.
Although we want students to achieve
the best examination results, we believe that our curriculum goes beyond
what is taught in school. Science has a social importance and we aim to
connect relevant ideas, careers and engaging moments throughout the
curriculum. We provide Science and Robotic clubs for younger students.
At KS3, Years 8 and 9 participate in the Salters Chemistry Festival and
the Science Olympiads (Top Class). There is also a STEM club for older
students.
Science has a social importance and we
aim to connect relevant ideas, careers and engaging moments throughout
the curriculum. We build the Cultural Capital of our students by
including examples of the implications of the changes we, as a human
race, are causing in our world. Examples include ethics of stem cell
use, energy sources, global warming, the overuse of fertilisers, the
fact that some raw materials are running out and that techniques for
mining them have an impact on the environment. Discussing big ideas e.g.
endangered species and application of nanotechnology to the real world.
Supporting Documents
