Exam Board: AQA

Exam: In all Technology courses, coursework completed during the two years has a weighting of 60% and the remaining 40% is on a terminal examination. Students will be expected to provide, or contribute towards, materials that they use for their projects.

The coursework represents 60% of the final mark and consists of a single project. Students carry out an extended design and make project within 40 hours of supervised time.

The remaining 40% is a final written examination taken by all students either at foundation (G-C grade) or higher level (D-A* grade). The level entered for each student is determined by coursework, work output over the period, and discussed between teacher and student. Differentiation is achieved by the two tiers of assessment.

Course Information:
All AQA/GCSE courses offered through the Design and Technology subjects involve an element of practical work, which is assessed as part of the examinations. Higher marks will be awarded to self-motivated students who select and decide on their own choice of projects and plan their presentation, execution and evaluation. This is one of the main ways of achieving differentiation between candidates. During the completion of project work teachers should be seen as a resource to be used, but direct intervention by the teacher should be kept to a minimum and such intervention will be recorded and reflected in the final marks awarded. Differentiation in the written design papers will be achieved by means of structured questions, within two tiers of examination.

Students are taught a range of drawing skills and techniques, which allow them to respond, by designing, drawing and making graphical products. One off drawing exercises are used, along with longer projects simulating real life graphical scenarios. Most work is individual, though group work is used when appropriate. Students will all complete a project, which will include written work (designing) and a practical outcome (making).

Contact member of staff: Miss C Symes