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Design and Technology

Design and Technology
GCSE Exam Board: AQA — Design and Technology (8552)
Subject Lead : Cath Haywood

Design and Technology at Reading Girls’ School enables students to become creative, confident problem-solvers who can design and make products that improve everyday life. Through a combination of theory and practical work, students learn how real products are researched, developed and manufactured, from initial concept through to working prototype.

The GCSE course follows the AQA Design and Technology (8552) specification, which is built around three main strands:

  • Core technical principles – the fundamental knowledge needed to understand materials, processes, systems and technologies.
  • Specialist technical principles – in-depth understanding of at least one main material area, such as timbers, polymers or metals.
  • Designing and making principles – the full design process, from identifying a need to testing and evaluating a final prototype.

Key Stage 3 (Years 7 & 8)

Students in Years 7 and 8 follow the National Curriculum for Design and Technology. Learning is structured around developing core skills and knowledge that form the foundation of the subject. Students explore a variety of material areas (timbers, polymers, electronics, textiles, papers and boards), learn safe working practices and begin to understand how products are designed and made.

Through practical, creative projects, students learn essential elements of the design process, including:

  • identifying user needs
  • researching existing products
  • developing ideas through sketching and modelling
  • using tools and equipment safely
  • ​​​​​​​evaluating the success of their designs

This early grounding ensures that all students are well-prepared for the transition to the GCSE course in Year 9.

Years 9, 10 and 11

Students begin their GCSE Design and Technology journey in Year 9. Across Years 9, 10 and 11 they build the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to design and make high-quality products.

Key areas of study include:

  • New and emerging technologies, sustainability and the environmental impact of design.
  • Energy generation and storage, mechanical devices and systems approaches to designing.
  • Materials and their working properties (e.g. timbers, polymers, metals, papers and boards, textiles).
  • Using tools, machines and digital technologies safely and accurately.
  • User-centred design, ergonomics and inclusive design.
  • Design communication: sketching, modelling, CAD, rendering and presenting ideas.

Throughout the course, students complete a series of mini-projects and design challenges that prepare them for the Non-Exam Assessment (NEA) in Year 11.

Exam Board and Syllabus Code
AQA — GCSE Design and Technology (8552)

Structure of the Course
Paper 1: Written examination
Duration: 2 hours
100 marks (50% of the GCSE)
A mixture of multiple-choice, short-answer and extended response questions.

Non-Exam Assessment (NEA): Design and make project
Approx. 30–35 hours
100 marks (50% of the GCSE)
Students produce a working prototype and portfolio.

Homework
Students are set regular homework such as:
Research tasks
Knowledge organiser questions
Exam-style questions
Sketching and design development

Parent Support
Encourage discussion of design ideas
Check homework and deadlines
Support wider reading and visits
Help organise folders and files

Useful Links
AQA GCSE Design and Technology (8552)
BBC Bitesize
Technology Student
Seneca Learning

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