Design Technology, whats the difference?

[inthename]

ds will move into yr 8 independent in September (currently doing Common Entrance) we've been looking at DT as its his favourite subject and one he would most likely want to take at GCSE. The schools seem to either call it 'resistant materials' or 'product design' anyone with older dc know what the difference in course content would be? Has aspirations eventually to be an architect!

sorry - move to Yr 9 in September - hes yr 8 at prep school now!!

He may well not be doing this exam board, but if you look at AQA specs for GCSE you'll get a reasonable idea of the differences.

If this is a key interest of his, it might be worth talking to the head of D&T at his next school to find out exactly what courses they do and what the differences are.

DS changed school for year 10 and DT was his best subject before; he loved it. New school offered only resistant materials. He came home after lesson one and said "it's f*ing carpentry mum", then spent the year playing Dungeons and Dragons at the back and came in with an F at GCSE. If your DS is going to be an independent, you are more likely to get Product Design or Design and Manufacturing, but ask! There is a world of difference between the varied syllabi (?) syllabuses.

Resistant materials concentrates more on the traditional wood, metals and plastics and the exam is more focused on the characteristics and manufacturing techniques of the materials.
Product design is more focused on problem solving, design solutions and looking at designers. It often allows you to design a product in whichever material you wish so could be the resistant materials but could also be textiles or food.
He will get to make a product whichever one he chooses but its always useful to check which exam board they do and look up the specifications online as the content between exam boards of the gcse courses can vary.