KS4 · Theory
Theory Revision Programme
All Component 1 theory was taught in Year 10. This programme does not re-teach it — it uses spaced retrieval practice across Term 1 to keep it fresh alongside the NEA push.
Topics
Weeks 1–3
The Design Process & Sources of Information
Weeks 1–3
Materials 1: Woods & Metals
Weeks 1–3
Materials 2: Polymers, Papers & Boards
Weeks 4–5
Smart, Modern & Composite Materials
Weeks 4–5
Manufacturing Processes & Scales of Production
Weeks 6–12
Shaping, Forming & Joining Processes
Weeks 6–12
Surface Finishes
Weeks 6–12
Sustainability & the 6 R's
Weeks 6–12
Ergonomics, Anthropometrics & User-Centred Design
Weeks 6–12
Quality Control & Health & Safety
Weeks 13–14
Systems, Mechanisms & Structures
Week 15
Exam Technique: Extended-Response Questions
How each session runs (~50 minutes)
- Retrieval starter (10 min)
Low-stakes quiz on last fortnight's topic (mixed multiple-choice + short answer).
- Targeted revisit (20 min)
Identify gaps from the starter, then work through examiner-style short-answer questions using Year 10 notes as reference — not re-teaching from scratch.
- Exam-style practice (15 min)
1–2 past-paper style questions, marked against the mark scheme in pairs.
- Plenary / homework (5 min)
Flashcards or a short online quiz set before the next theory session.
Fortnightly schedule
| Fortnight | Dates | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 24 Aug – 4 Sep | The design process & the work of designers |
| 2 | 7 – 18 Sep | Materials 1 — woods & metals: properties & selection |
| 3 | 21 Sep – 2 Oct | Materials 2 — polymers, papers & boards: properties & selection |
| 4 | 5 – 16 Oct | Smart, modern & composite materials |
| 5 | 26 Oct – 6 Nov | Manufacturing processes & scales of production |
| 6 | 9 – 20 Nov | Shaping, forming & joining processes |
| 7 | 23 Nov – 4 Dec | Surface finishes & treatments; Sustainability — LCA & the 6 Rs |
| 8 | 7 – 11 Dec | Exam technique: 6/9/12-mark extended-response questions |
- Half term (19–23 Oct) falls between Fortnights 4 and 5 — no session that week.
- Ergonomics & anthropometrics, Quality control & health & safety, and Systems, mechanisms & structures run as rolling homework/flashcard topics through Weeks 6–14, since Manufacture weeks carry the heaviest NEA workload.
- Retrieval, not re-teaching: every session opens with recall before revisiting material.
- Interleaving: mix questions from earlier topics into later quizzes.
- Low-stakes only — these quizzes are for feedback, not grading.
Download
Theory Revision Programme
DOCX · 04_Theory_Revision_Programme.docx