Year 10 is the first year of the two-year GCSE course. By the end of this year students will have been exposed to a large range of knowledge and skills by utilizing Focused Practical Tasks (FPT) which deliver specific knowledge and skills, designing and making assignments which enable students to follow a series of designing and making tasks (mini projects) or by a combination of both methods.

Year 11 is the final year of the GCSE course. By the end of this year students will have produced a coursework project that assimilates previous knowledge. Emphasis is placed upon producing a project that could be manufactured on an industrial scale.

Year 10

• Design and Make Project (formative – to reflect expectations for Coursework)
• Mock examination (formative)

Year 11

• Coursework (50% of total GCSE result)
• External Exam (50% of total GCSE result)
• Feedback on projects can be provided, but only in general terms. Self-assessment is on-going.

Subject Specific Skills Development

• Systems and Control
• Structures
• Mechanisms
• Pneumatics
• Electronics
• Product Design
• Analysing
• Designing
• Testing
• Modifying
• Processes and manufacture
• CAD/CAM (2D & 3D)
• Applied Mathematical Modelling
• Model making
• Health and safety
• Tools and equipment
• Techniques and processes

Trans-disciplinary and Generic Skills Developed

• Learning Technologies – CAD (Autodesk Fusion 360, Yenka Circuit Design, PCB Design & Make), CAM (Laser cutter, 3D printer), CNC (3 axis router)
• Evaluation –self and peer
• Problem solving –reviewing/analysis
• Design and creativity – divergent/convergent thinking Numeracy
• Communication
• Time/Project management

This course is highly suitable for students that are creative, enjoy designing and manufacturing and want to apply their maths skills to a real world environment.  It is strongly recommended for the study of IB Design and Technology.