November 2021 Design and Technology update
Here is your November 2021 subject update for Design and Technology.
In this update, the main focus is the recently published contingency arrangements for summer 2022, in case exams are cancelled. In addition to that, you can access information on the current arrangements and the upcoming coursework marking training events for GCSE and A level D&T.
Summer 2022 contingency arrangements
The Department for Education and Ofqual have decided as a matter of policy that although the government is firmly committed to exams going ahead in summer 2022, there needs to be a contingency plan in place for the unlikely event that exams have to be cancelled again because of the pandemic. If exams have to be cancelled in summer 2022, students’ grades would instead be determined by their teachers, using a Teacher Assessed Grades (TAGs) approach similar to that used in summer 2021.
Summer 2022 adaptations
The presentation accessed from the link below, including a recording, is to go through the adaptations agreed for GCSE and A level D&T for summer 2022. These are NEA arrangements and Advance Information.
Live Module 4 Coursework Marking training event
The live module 4 coursework marking training event will take place on the following dates for GCSE and A level D&T. The first part of these events is a live Q&A session where you have the opportunity to speak to an experienced examining team member who will be able to answer questions you may have previously submitted as part of module 3 along with any additional questions you may have.
The second part is a group exercise where you will mark the work of a new portfolio not seen in modules 1-3.
Date and time
- A level D&T coursework marking training event: 1 December, 16:00-18:00 GMT
- GCSE D&T coursework marking traniing event: 9 December, 16:00 - 17:30 GMT
Autumn 2021 series question paper and mark scheme release dates
See below table for the publication dates of the past papers for the Autumn 2021 series for GCSE and A level qualifications, including D&T.
| Qualification | Question Paper | Mark scheme |
|---|---|---|
| A level D&T | 16 November | 7 December |
| GCSE D&T | 14 December | 18 January |
Subject advisor
Evren Alibaba
Design and Technology
