Design & Technology

Design and Technology (D&T) is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. It prepares all young people to live and work in the designed and made world. We give students the confidence and the technical ability to design and make their ideas. We encourage individuality and creativity and make students question their ideas and designs to regularly look at how their work can be improved and how their designs can be made to work more effectively.

At KS3 all students have the opportunity to explore the disciplines in all areas in D&T. We take a varied approach that introduces students to the properties of different materials covering textiles, plastics and timber whilst incorporating electronics and the ethos of designing. They will complete a number of small Design and Make projects which will give students the skills to prepare them for GCSE. Computer Aided Design (CAD) features in a number of the projects and students are able to construct components of their products using the laser cutter. We develop student’s ability to work independently and they all become proficient in the use of the software used to control the laser cutter. They will also be made aware of environmental issues within design and look at the need to make our world more sustainable. We also look at the history of design and how it continues to influence design styles in the modern age.

GCSE Design and Technology

Students can choose GCSE Design and Technology which will prepare students to participate confidently and successfully in an increasingly technological world.  Students will build on the skills they have learnt in KS3. The GCSE allows students to study core technical and designing and making principles, including a broad range of design processes, materials techniques and equipment.

GCSE Design and Technology is assessed in two parts:

Non Exam Assessment (NEA) – 30 hours: 50%

Each year the Exam Board releases a set of contextual challenges. We work with the students to analyse and choose the most appropriate challenge for them.  They will then begin work on a large portfolio starting with an extensive body of research that leads the students to writing their own Design Brief. 

Students present a portfolio of Research and Design Development along with an item of Practical Work for Assessment.  Exam board restrictions mean that it cannot begin until the Summer term of Year 10, to be completed in Year 11.

Exam – One hour and 45 minutes, part of which will be multiple choice: 50%

Through the three years of study core content is delivered alongside the practical elements of the course. The written exam is divided into two sections: 40% core content and 60% material categories. The core content allows students to demonstrate their breadth of understanding of Design and Technology, whilst the material categories enable students to demonstrate their specialist knowledge of one material area.

An e-book of the textbook is available here, where all the core content is covered along with guidance on the Non Exam Assessment.

Revision guides for GCSE Design and Technology are available on Parent Pay.

There are various courses available at sixth form and college that will enable students to continue to study Design and Technology and prepare them for the technological world around us.

Link to the Exam board and course specification: qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/edexcel-gcses/design-and-technology-2017.html

An online resource for all the content covered in the GCSE Exam with revision tasks: www.technologystudent.com/despro_flsh/NEW_GCSE3.html

A 3D modelling computer program for a wide range of drawing applications such as architectural, interior design, landscape architecture, civil and mechanical engineering, film and video game design: www.sketchup.com/

Check out our Twitter feed @dtvaleofyork to see some of students’ work.

Keep in touch
Subject Lead for DT is Mrs Zulkarnain who can be contacted by email at m.zulkarnain@valeofyorkacademy.org