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D & T at GCSE
Design & Technology
prepares its candidates to participate in tomorrow’s rapidly
changing world. They learn to think and intervene creatively, to
improve the quality of products, systems and environments. Pupils
learn to become autonomous and creative problem solvers, as individuals
and as members of a team. They must consider products’ needs,
requirements and opportunities, respond to them by developing a
range of ideas then are able to manufacture real, functional products.
It is a rapidly growing and fast developing department which has
recently been reorganised. During 2002 / 2003, the department took
on many exciting new initiatives. There is new Design Studio with
a PC based ICT resource that is exclusive to its candidates and
enables them to enhance the quality of both their design and practical
work using CAD / CAM, (Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided
Manufacture).
The OCR GCSE Design & Technology: Resistant Materials courses
enable pupils to combine practical skill with an understanding of
aesthetic, ergonomic, social and environmental issues, technology
and industrial practices. They reflect on and evaluate existing
products as well as their own design and practical work. Design
and technologists can become discriminating and informed users and
designers of products and learn to become innovators. It is a fascinating,
exciting and flexible subject which is especially attractive to
those who want to maintain strong links with the ‘real world’
outside the classroom.
Aims & Objectives
The design and technology
syllabus aims to:
- Encourage candidates
to combine their designing and making skills with knowledge and
understanding, in order to design and make quality products,
- Promote design and
technology capability in candidates through activities which involve
a range of contexts, materials and processes and to lead to practical
results;
- Give opportunities
to develop practical abilities and the confidence to design, make
and modify products for identified purposes, selecting and using
resources effectively,
- Encourage the development
of candidates' critical and aesthetic abilities, enabling them
to evaluate design and technology activity, including their own,
in the context of an identified need,
- Encourage candidates
to consider the effects and implications of technological activity,
- Provide for activities
which cross subject boundaries and give candidates opportunities
to work both individually and as a member of a team.
- Give candidates the
opportunity to study, propose and realise prototype solutions
to designing and making situations closely linked to the real
world of product/system manufacture.
Course Structure
There are 2 main units
of Assessment:
- Major Project, pupils
can design and make a product that meets a specified need (60%)
- Written Exam (40%)
A qualification in Design
& Technology is ideal for those looking work in the design,
manufacturing or engineering industries. It has also proved popular
to students who seek an academically challenging subject that can
offer a wide curriculum which welcomes an artistic, creative and
scientific approach.
Further information about
studying Design & Technology at GCSE can be obtained from Mr
Chris Mills either in person or via email: cmills@chigwell-school.org
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