| Curriculum content at KS4 |
GCSE in Design and Technology requires students to demonstrate the necessary knowledge, understanding and skills required to undertake iterative design processes of exploring, creating and evaluating.
The specification requires students to produce one final made prototype based on a design brief they develop in response to a contextual challenge set by the exam board. When completing their project students will apply designing and making principles and their knowledge and understanding of technical principles.
Technical principles
In order to make effective design choices in relation to which materials, components and systems to utilise, students will need a breadth of technical knowledge and understanding that includes:
• the impact of new and emerging technologies on industry, enterprise, sustainability, people, culture, society and
the environment, production techniques and systems
• how the critical evaluation of new and emerging technologies informs design decisions; considering contemporary
and potential future scenarios from different perspectives, such as ethics and the environment
• how energy is generated and stored in order to choose and use appropriate sources to make products and to
power systems
• developments in modern and smart materials, composite materials and technical textiles
• how electronic systems provide functionality to products and processes, including sensors and control devices to
respond to a variety of inputs, and devices to produce a range of outputs
• the use of programmable components to embed functionality into products in order to enhance and customise
their operation
• the functions of mechanical devices, to produce different sorts of movement, changing the magnitude and
direction of forces
• the categorisation of the types and properties of the following materials:
o papers and boards
o natural and manufactured timber
o ferrous and non-ferrous metals
o thermoforming and thermosetting polymers
o natural, synthetic, blended and mixed fibres, and woven, non-woven and knitted textiles
Designing and making principles
• understand that all design and technological practice takes place within contexts which inform outcomes
• identify and understand client and user needs through the collection of primary and secondary data
• demonstrate an ability to write a design brief and specifications from their own and others’ considerations of
human needs, wants and interests
• investigate factors, such as environmental, social and economic challenges, in order to identify opportunities and
constraints that influence the processes of designing and making
• explore and develop their ideas, testing, critically analysing and evaluating their work in order to inform and refine
their design decisions thus achieving improved outcomes
• investigate and analyse the work of past and present professionals and companies in the area of design and
technology in order to help inform their own ideas
• use different design strategies, such as collaboration, user-centred design and systems thinking, to generate initial
ideas and avoid design fixation
• develop, communicate, record and justify design ideas, applying suitable techniques, for example: formal and
informal 2D and 3D drawing; system and schematic diagrams; annotated sketches; exploded diagrams; models;
presentations; written notes; working drawings; schedules; audio and visual recordings; mathematical modelling;
computer-based tools
• design and develop at least one prototype that responds to needs and/or wants and is fit for purpose,
demonstrating functionality, aesthetics, marketability and consideration of innovation
• make informed and reasoned decisions, respond to feedback about their own prototypes (and existing products
and systems) to identify the potential for further development and suggest how modifications could be made
In relation to at least one of the material categories listed in paragraph 9 (above), students are required to develop and apply in-depth knowledge by:
• selecting and working with appropriate materials and components in order to produce a prototype
• using appropriate and accurate marking out methods including: measuring and use of reference points, lines and
surfaces; use templates, jigs and/or patterns; work within tolerances; understand efficient cutting and how to
minimise waste
• using specialist tools and equipment, appropriate to the materials or components used (including hand tools,
machinery, digital design and manufacture), to create a specific outcome
• using specialist techniques and processes to shape, fabricate, construct and assemble a high quality prototype,
including techniques such as wastage, addition, deforming and reforming, as appropriate to the materials and/or
components being used
• using appropriate surface treatments and finishes for functional and aesthetic purposes
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