Teaching Design and Technology and Food Preparation from September 2017

Implications for the removal of existing Food qualifications

Following earlier notices we would like to remind centres that from September 2017 the only GCSE qualification for students following a Food pathway is the GCSE (9–1) in Food Preparation and Nutrition (J309), both GCSE Food Technology (J302) and GCSE Food and Nutrition (J431) can no longer be taught, as there are no further assessment or resit opportunities for either qualification.

GCSE (9-1) Food Preparation and Nutrition (J309) has been available for teaching since September 2016 and has a dedicated page on our website.

Other existing Design and Technology qualifications

The remaining qualifications within the Innovator Suite are:

• GCSE Electronics and Control Systems (J301)
• GCSE Graphics (J303)
• GCSE Industrial Technology (J304)
• GCSE Resistant Materials (J306)
• GCSE Textiles Technology (J307)

There are no changes to specification or unit codes, therefore entry codes will not change. The only change to be aware of is to the QAN number, which is 601/9027/9.

The Design and Technology qualifications listed above only have one further assessment in June 2018, therefore all candidates commencing their 2 years of study in September 2017 should follow the reformed GCSE (9–1) in Design and Technology, first teaching from September 2017.

GCSE Product Design (J305) and the Product Design Short Course (J045) sit outside of our Innovator Suite, and consequently there are no changes to specifications, entries or the QAN number for these qualifications.

If you have any queries about this notice, please call our Customer Contact Centre on 01223 553998 or email general.qualifications@ocr.org.uk.