Design Technology 
KS4
Head of Faculty: Ms J Fisk
What will I learn?
Within Design Technology you will complete a variety of design and make tasks focussing on different material areas including papers and boards, wood, polymers, metals and textiles to build up core knowledge and also to build upon and develop skills learnt from KS3.
Students will be given an opportunity to complete an extended task based on a contextual challenge which will reflect the requirements of the Non Examined Assessment (NEA).
How will I be assessed?
Examination Board: AQA Design Technology 8552
Design Technology is assessed in two ways, each worth 50% of the final GCSE grade.
Non Examined Assessment (NEA) This is a contextual challenge set by the examination board and is available from the 1st June, at the end of year 10. Student have approximately 30 hours to complete the design and make task.
Students will have to solve a problem based on the challenge through designing and model development until a suitable solution has been found. Students will then make this solution to prototype standard.
The written exam is comprised of 3 sections. (2 Hours)
Section A - Core Technical Principles (Multiple choice and short answer style questions)
Questions based on all materials
Section B - Specialist Technical Principles (Short answer style questions)
Questions based on specific material of students own choice
Section C - Designing and Making Principles (Extended answer style questions)
Questions based on the way in which designers work and manufacture products and consideration to environment and sustainability. Also drawing and mathematical principles.
Where will this subject take me?
This GCSE is ideal preparation for students who wish to study design further at A level or for studying design at college. This course also prepares students for a wide range of careers in the design field including interior design, product design, industrial design , engineering and manufacturing and also architecture.
KS4 Design Technology Curriculum Map