During this course, you will study a wide range of materials including papers and boards, timber, metals, polymers and textile fibres and fabrics. You will develop an understanding of systems, programmable components and mechanisms to support any potential design solutions you may develop later on. You will also learn about wider design principles and the affect of design on users and the world we live in.

You will then develop a deeper knowledge and understanding of specific materials and related techniques and processes, in order to construct working prototypes and achieve functioning design solutions; through the study of existing design solutions.

Examination Board and Specification:

 OCR GCSE (9-1) Design & Technology

Assessment Details:

Coursework (Non-Exam Assessment): 50%.

The Iterative Design Challenge is a single task that is worth 50% of the qualification. OCR will release contextual challenges. There will be three open and real-world contexts for learners to interpret and explore, creating iterations when designing and making through the processes of ‘explore, create and evaluate’. This will involve the making of 3D models, a final prototype and a detailed portfolio to support the design process.

Examination: 50%.

The other 50% of the qualification covers the principles of design and technology in an examination. This is a single examination with questions covering both ‘core’ and ‘in-depth’ content. This examination is 2 hours and questions offer full access to all learners regardless of their practical experiences in the subject.

Course Details:

The content of OCR’s GCSE (9-1) Design and Technology qualification has been set out in sections to offer clarity and allow for progression.

These are:

• identifying requirements
• learning from existing products and practice
• implications of wider issues
• design thinking and communication
• material considerations
• technical understanding
• manufacturing processes and techniques
• viability of design solutions

You will develop an understanding and appreciation for the design and manufacture of existing products, making you a more discriminating purchaser. It will help you to be creative in your approach to work, develop sketching ability and use of digital technologies in designing and creating products. You will learn about iterative design practices and strategies used by the creative, engineering and manufacturing industries.

You will learn about important issues that affect design in the wider world such as sustainability, global issues and user-centred design. You will learn about a range of materials and components that can be used to create products including smart materials that respond to changes in light, temperature or pressure

GCSE Design & Technology Staff