Menu

Technology

Exam Board

AQA

Assessed by

Written examination

Non-examination assessment  

 

Overview

Our course follows the AQA specification and should encourage students to:

  • Demonstrate their understanding that all design and technological activity takes place within contexts that influence the outcomes of design practice
  • Develop realistic design proposals as a result of the exploration of design opportunities and users’ needs, wants and values
  • Use imagination, experimentation and combine ideas when designing
  • Develop the skills to critique and refine their own ideas whilst designing and making
  • Communicate their design ideas and decisions using different media and techniques, as appropriate for different audiences at key points in their designing
  • Develop decision making skills, including the planning and organisation of time and resources when managing their own project work
  • Develop a broad knowledge of materials, components and technologies and practical skills to develop high quality, imaginative and functional prototypes
  • Be ambitious and open to explore and take design risks in order to stretch the development of design proposals, avoiding clichéd or stereotypical responses
  • Consider the costs, commercial viability and marketing of products
  • Demonstrate safe working practices in design and technology
  • Use key design and technology terminology including those related to: designing, innovation and communication; materials and technologies; making, manufacture and production; critiquing, values and ethics.

 

Assessment of Design and Technology

 

Paper 1 – 2 hour written examination, accounting for 50% of the GCSE, assessing:

  • Core technical principles
  • Specialist technical principles
  • Designing and making principles

 

Non – Examination Assessment - accounting for 50% of the GCSE

This involves Students producing a prototype and a portfolio of evidence in their selected specialist area. Students may choose from: Electronic Products, Graphic Products, Resistant Materials or Textiles Technology. 30-35 hours are allocated to the assessment accounting for 50% total marks