INTRODUCTION There are three subjects to choose from within Design & Technology Design & Technology   -  Food Design & Technology   -  Graphic Products Design & Technology   -  Textiles

These option subjects get 3 hours per week. Design & Technology lessons will provide the opportunity for pupils to develop their practical skills and produce high quality products.  Please note pupils are only allowed to study one Design & Technology subject.

COURSE CONTENT

All three courses encourage pupils to develop and learn to combine designing and making skills with knowledge and understanding, in order to enable them to design and make quality products. Each GCSE course encourages innovation and creativity and helps to foster understanding and problem solving.

The GCSE courses in Food, Graphics and Textiles cover:

• Designing and Production Planning  -  product analysis, principles of good design, design inspiration and influences
• Materials

Assessment

The assessment in Design & Technology consists of Controlled Assessment, worth 60% and Written Exam worth 40% of the final grade.

The Controlled Assessment consists of two design and make tasks with extensive supporting design folders/portfolios.

Ask any of your Design & Technology teachers to show you examples of GCSE controlled assessments/coursework. They will gladly show you examples of practical work/outcomes and folders/portfolios.

The written examination consists of two papers in May/June of year 11.

There will be teacher assessment throughout the course to inform pupils and parents how candidates are progressing.

Home Learning

Home learning will be set every week, based on the topic area being studied, or research for controlled assessments. Pupils experiencing difficulties completing home learning will be encouraged to attend after-school workshops for additional support, and parents will be informed.

Educational Extra, Support and Trips

Additional workshops are available after school for any pupils wishing to extend their knowledge/progress or gain additional support with class or controlled assessment work.
Liaison with local industry and post 16 institutions is well established, and these links take the form of visits/trips; outside speakers coming into school to work with our pupils; participation in local/national competitions.

How Parents can Help

• Encourage research for relevant topics, reading newspapers, etc
• Discuss the work and offer encouragement and ideas for improvement
• Ensure your child is organised in order to meet deadlines
• Where possible, access to a computer with a CAD programme would be helpful
• Provide/purchase relevant materials regularly

Securing Success

We work hard to ensure that pupils work to the best of their ability and develop their skills and knowledge. We want them to perform to their highest potential. Controlled assessments are worth a high percentage of their grade, so it is essential that every pupil works consistently hard throughout the course. Staff encourage and support all candidates and if a pupil is having difficulty with any aspect of the course we will provide extra help and advice after school.

Staff