During Year 10 students work to develop both their skills, knowledge and understanding by completing three miniature coursework projects. This develops their design thinking as well as the practical skills needed for GCSE. Throughout these projects’ student work is underpinned by the key elements of the design process, such as communication skills, presentation, research, task and product analysis, along with developing their knowledge of materials, manufacturing process, drawing techniques and more. This course has been designed to equip students with the knowledge skills and design understanding to be able to work independently as we approach year 11 and their controlled assessment projects.
Through Year 11, students complete their full design and make project. This is their main coursework task, worth 60% of their final Art & Design 3-Dimensional design GCSE grade and draws on work completed as part of their Year 10 course.
The remaining 40% of their mark comes from completing the controlled assessment exam. This is a full project covering all the GCSE assessment criteria. The exam board sets a series of project titles every year and students’ chosen which project to complete. Students have 10 weeks to complete the project, this time concludes with a 10 hour “exam” period (two school days in DT for students to complete making their final design model).
Throughout year 11 we continue to develop the theory skills, knowledge and practical skills required in a variety of ways including creating sample models, studying exam-based questions, researching and testing various materials and finishes and creating final prototypes.