December 2023 Design and Technology update
Here is your December 2023 update for Design and Technology. In this final subject update of 2023, I am delighted to link you to the latest NEA exemplars we have put together for both GCSE and A level Design and Techonology.
I would also like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a restful and joyful break over the festive season. See you in 2024!
The D&T team has selected new NEA portfolios from Summer 2023 series as exemplars. Summer 2023 series was return back to normal and therefore it was the second full assessment series of this specification since its first assessment in Summer 2019. These exemplars are full NEAs, similar to the ones from 2019 in line with the expected national standard.
Please see link below to access the exemplar materials for A level D&T NEA. There are 6 portfolios accompanied by principle moderator marks and commentary for each grid.
GCSE D&T NEA exemplar work
The D&T team are currently putting together a support package in response to centre feedback. This support will include a new, updated delivery guide which will act as a key document for approaching the NEA and will link to a new landing page for exemplars, where we will not only be providing a new set of full portfolios, but provide the ability to see exemplars focused on each assessment grid individually. We are committed to publishing these materials as soon as possible, however we want to make sure that they not only provide support and clarity, but they communicate any expectations around the NEA to teachers clearly, so that there are no ambiguity or concerns around what is required. We will publish an announcement for this shortly, with the intention that in January, teachers return to the NEA with complete confidence of how to complete the NEA and assess it as a department.
Part of this support is ready to update you on, which is a series of CAD training videos to address an area that centres tell us is still a challenge for them. These can be found in the section below.
We will be expanding our support into January 2024 with classroom ready materials focused on utilising the specification throughout the NEA, and product analysis as a tool for preparing students for the exam. We can't wait to share these with you and thank you for your patience whilst we get these right.
CAD support playlist
Following on from your feedback and our determination for on-going support for centres, we have created a CAD support playlist to support students in utilising CAD successfully in their NEAs.
In this series of support videos, our trainer looks at free CAD software (TinkerCad) and considers how it can be used to meet the requirement for CAD (assessed in 2.4 communication) within the NEA component.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 21 February 2024 | Entry deadlines for GCSE and A level D&T |
| 15 May 2024 | Deadline to submit NEA marks and sample for moderation |
| 05 June 2024 - pm | A level D&T Component 1 exam |
| 18 June 2024 - am | GCSE D&T Component 1 exam |
Subject advisor
Evren Alibaba
Design and Technology
