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Key Stage 4 (GCSE)

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GCSE Technology and Design (AQA)

 

The AQA qualification is modern and relevant, so students can learn about contemporary technologies, materials and processes, as well as established practices.

Examination

Year 11 consists of studying Section A. Core Technical Principles of the course. They will develop knowledge and understanding of:

•    New and emerging technologies

•    Energy, materials, systems and devices

•    Material and their working properties

 

Year 12 consists of studying Section B. Specialist Technical Principles. Pupils will develop knowledge and understanding of:

•    Common specialist technical principles

•    Papers and boards

•    Timber based materials

•    Metal based materials

•    Polymers

•    Textile based materials

•    Electronic systems

 

Pupils will have to pick one of these topics and prepare for more in depth responses during the examination.

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Paper 1

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What's assessed\

• Core technical principles

• Specialist technical principles

• Designing and making principles

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In addition:

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• at least 15% of the exam will assess maths

• at least 10% of the exam will assess science.

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How it's assessed

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• Written exam: 2 hours

• 100 marks

• 50% of GCSE

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Questions

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Section A – Core technical principles (20 marks)

A mixture of multiple choice and short answer questions assessing a breadth of technical

knowledge and understanding.

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Section B – Specialist technical principles (30 marks)

Several short answer questions (2–5 marks) and one extended response to assess a more in

depth knowledge of technical principles.

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Section C – Designing and making principles (50 marks)

A mixture of short answer and extended response questions.

Non – Exam Assessment (NEA)

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This GCSE places emphasis on understanding and applying iterative design processes. Pupils will use their creativity and imagination to design and make prototypes that solve real and relevant problems, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values.

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Around January of Year 11 AQA will set their design tasks. Pupils will choose a task and prepare a design folder and manufacture a prototype or real life working model of their design. 

Non – Exam Assessment (NEA) 

 

What's assessed

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Practical application of:

• Core technical principles

• Specialist technical principles

• Designing and making principles

 

How it's assessed

• Non-exam assessment (NEA): 30–35 hours approx

• 100 marks

• 50% of GCSE

 

Task(s)

• Substantial design and make task

• Assessment criteria:

• Identifying and investigating design possibilities

• Producing a design brief and specification

• Generating design ideas

• Developing design ideas

• Realising design ideas

• Analysing & evaluating

• In the spirit of the iterative design process, the above should be awarded holistically where

they take place and not in a linear manner

• Contextual challenges to be released annually by AQA on 1 June in the year prior to the

submission of the NEA

• Students will produce a prototype and a portfolio of evidence

• Work will be marked by teachers and moderated by AQA

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Occupational Studies -Technology and Innovation – Bench Joinery

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This unit is designed to provide increased vocational skills in bench joinery and associated activities. This unit includes:

 • consideration of health and safety issues with respect to workshop activities in bench joinery;

 • consideration of career opportunities related to working with wood in the construction industry;

 • an appreciation of environmental issues relating to timber;

 • the appropriate use of bench joinery hand tools, and basic hand-held power tools;

 • techniques of cutting, jointing, boring and planing to produce construction related components; 

• construction of a range of bench joinery models; and 

• a review and evaluation of performance.

 

This subject is divided into 3 sections;

 

Section 1 Health and Safety, Basic Hand Tools and Safety of Hand-Held Power Tools

Section 2 Craft Techniques 

Section 3 Manufacture of Joinery Components Using Basic Joints 

 

Practical Assessment

All pupils will follow a working drawing for a coffee table.

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Learners will: 

• answer questions to demonstrate knowledge and understanding requirements; 

• cut centre rail to length; 

• interpret drawing and prepare a cutting list;

•assemble base of table with dry timber wedges;

• prepare the workshop and select tools;

• assemble completed table using adhesive, screws and wooden wedges; 

• mark out all materials.

• sand completed model; 

• cut timber for legs to length with a minimum of waste

• tidy up work area;

• mark out mortise and tenon joints;

• return tools and maintain in the appropriate manner; 

• cut joints;

• evaluate their own performance in the practical activity; and 

• assemble legs;

• carry out an end-of-unit evaluation.

 

GCSE Construction and Built Environment 

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The GCSE Construction and Built Environment aims to develop a broad background knowledge and core knowledge of the construction industry. Pupils will apply their developing knowledge in relevant, enjoyable and work-related contexts for craft products and computer aided design (CAD) projects. This course will allow pupils to investigate opportunities to progress into further education, training or employment in the construction industry. Through construction pupils will develop and practise the key transferable skills that are important in working life and develop knowledge of the materials and sustainable methods used in domestic and commercial construction.

 

The breakdown of the course is outlined below. 

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