Design and Technology

GCSE Design and Technology will prepare pupils to participate confidently and successfully in an increasingly technological world. Pupils will gain awareness and learn from wider influences on Design and Technology including historical, social, cultural, environmental and economic factors. Pupils will get the opportunity to work creatively when designing and making and apply technical and practical expertise. GCSE Design and Technology allows pupils to study core technical and designing and making principles, including a broad range of design processes, materials techniques and equipment. They will also have the opportunity to study specialist technical principles in greater depth.

What can I do after this course?

Some desirable skills developed during this course are design communication, organisation, planning, technical and practical skills, as well as team and independent working.

There are a vast number of careers that this course lends itself well to. The main careers are within the design and manufacturing industries, as well as in engineering.

Some examples of careers may include: Architecture, Ergonomics, Product Design, Building Technology, Fabrication and Welding, Set Design, Construction Crafts, Furniture Design, Production Management, Computer Aided Design (CAD), Industrial Design, Engineering, Model making, CNC Machining, Toolmaking, Interior Design, Fashion Design, Sign making, Metalworking, Plumbing, Computer Aided Manufacture (CAM), Shipbuilding, Drilling, Wood Machining, Technical Illustration, Cabinet Making, Digital Design, Exhibition Design, Automotive Design, Manufacturing Technology and Maintenance Fitting, Materials Science, Naval Architecture, Control Systems, Railway Maintenance, Engineering Technology, Civil Engineering, Energy Engineering, Gas Service Mechanics, Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Manufacturing Systems, Electrical Engineering, Aeronautical Engineering, Prosthetics and Orthotics, Auto-Electrical Repair, Marine Engineering, Computing Science, Telecommunications, Industrial Design, Building Technology, Offshore Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Building Management, Design Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Electronic Engineering, Aircraft Engineering and Aeronautical Engineering.

Is this the right course for me?

This course is suited to pupils who will enjoy learning more about the designed world around them, as well as designing and making products by building on their knowledge gained at Key Stage 3. As a broad subject, Design and Technology has very clear links to Science, Geography and Art. The aim of the course is to develop a better understanding of a wide range of topics, giving pupils an in-depth knowledge of design and manufacturing industries. 50% of this course is made up a non-exam assessment (NEA), which is a substantial design and make task completed in school in Year 11.