GCSE Engineering (Double Award)

What is a Double Award? 

• A double award is a qualification equal to two GCSEs. This course gives students the opportunity to combine a range of Design & Technology skills taken from Graphics, Resistant Materials and Electronics.

Activities include: learning in both classroom and workshop environments, have an opportunity to learn in a practical and realistic way and applying skills in work related situations, use computers to design, calculate, make and write illustrated reports, carry out a range of activities including investigations into different aspects of engineering industries, be involved in the design, making and investigation of engineered products and sub systems.

At Key stage 3

Students are given a range of tasks to develop their knowledge and understanding of materials and processes. They learn to design products for others and to work in teams where each member takes on the role of a specialist to develop a novelty toy for a target market.

In Year 9, students work on specific skills related to GCSE; machining operations, planning for production, Computer Aided Design and programmable integrated circuits.

The structure of the GCSE in Engineering at Key stage 4:

Unit 1: Design & Graphical Communication

Students take on the role of a design engineer, they have to demonstrate they can:

• develop a design solution to a customer’s design brief.
• learn to consider the important features of the customer’s design brief 
• suggest design solutions using engineering drawing techniques. 
• present their chosen design solutions to an expert audience.

Unit 2: Engineered Products

Students demonstrate their organisational skills as a production engineer, where they must make an engineered product. They must demonstrate that they can:

• use a product specification
• read and interpret engineering drawings and diagrams
• select materials
• create a production plan
• use a range of tools including Computer aided manufacture software
• check the quality of their work against standard requirements.

Unit 3: Application of Technology

Students will investigate the impact of modern technology on the design and manufacture of a range of products in different engineering sectors.

• They will learn about new technologies and how they have helped to develop new design and manufacturing processes.
• They will also learn about how new technologies can be used to the benefit of the work force, the wider community and the global environment.