Awarding Body – AQA

Specification Code – 8552

Tiers – All candidates sit the same level of qualification

The GCSE curriculum is based around three themes:

Theme One – Core Technical Principles

• • New and Emerging Technologies
  • Energy Generation and Storage
  • Developments in New Materials
  • Systems Approach to Designing
  • Mechanical Devices
  • Materials and their Working Properties

Theme Two – Specialist Technical Principles

• • Selection of Materials or Components
  • Forces and Stresses
  • Ecological and Social Footprint
  • Sources and Origins
  • Using and Working with Materials
  • Stock Forms, Types and Sizes
  • Scales of Production
  • Specialist Techniques and Processes
  • Surface Treatments and Finishes

Theme Three – Designing and Making Principles

• • Investigation, Primary and Secondary Data
  • Environmental, Social and Economic Challenge
  • The Work of Others
  • Design Strategies
  • Communication of Design Ideas
  • Prototype Development
  • Selection of Materials and Components
  • Tolerances
  • Material Management
  • Specialist Tools and Equipment
  • Specialist Techniques and Processes

Assessment is through non-examination assessment and a written examination:

Non-Examination Assessment (NEA) – 30 to 35 hours

Candidates will produce a prototype and portfolio of evidence demonstrating their understanding and practical application of their learning

Written paper – 2 hours; not only will candidates’ knowledge of their learning be tested, but also mathematical (at least 15% of content) and scientific (at least 10%) concepts linked to their learning

Both assessments carry an equal 50% weighting of the overall grade