Design and Technology
We believe design and technology is about designing and making products for a specific need or purpose. It involves children in learning about the world we live in and developing a wide range of skills through designing and making. It helps children learn vital skills such as how to think through problems creatively, how to organise themselves, how to work with knowledge and practical skills to bring about change and to shape the environment. Through design and technology children become discriminating and informed users of products and become innovators.
Subject content
In the Foundation Stage we provide opportunities for children to:
- develop a curiosity and interest in the made world through investigating, talking and asking questions about familiar products.
- Develop confidence and enthusiasm through frequent exploration of construction kits to build and construct objects, and activities for exploring joining, assembling and shaping materials to make products.
- Extend their vocabulary through talking and explaining about their designing and making activities
- Children have the opportunities to.
- Use different media and materials to express their own ideas
- Use what they have learnt about media and materials in original ways, thinking about form, function and purpose
- Make plans and construct with a purpose in mind using a variety of resources
- Develop skills to use simple tools and techniques appropriately, effectively and safely
- Select appropriate resources for a product and adapt their work where necessary
- Cook and prepare food adhering to good health and hygiene routine
Key stage 1
- Through a variety of creative and practical activities, pupils should be taught the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to engage in an iterative process of designing and making. They should work in a range of relevant contexts [for example, the home and school, gardens and playgrounds, the local community, industry and the wider environment].
- When designing and making, pupils should be taught to: -
- Design - design purposeful, functional, appealing products for themselves and other users based on design criteria - generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through talking, drawing, templates, mock-ups and, where appropriate, information and communication technology
- Make - select from and use a range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks [for example, cutting, shaping, joining and finishing] - select from and use a wide range of materials and components, including construction materials, textiles and ingredients, according to their characteristics
- Evaluate - explore and evaluate a range of existing products - evaluate their ideas and products against design criteria
- Technical knowledge - build structures, exploring how they can be made stronger, stiffer and more stable - explore and use mechanisms [for example, levers, sliders, wheels and axles], in their products
Key stage 2
Through a variety of creative and practical activities, pupils should be taught the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to engage in an iterative process of designing and making. They should work in a range of relevant contexts [for example, the home, school, leisure, culture, enterprise, industry and the wider environment].
When designing and making, pupils should be taught to:
- Design
- use research and develop design criteria to inform the design of innovative, functional, appealing products that are fit for purpose, aimed at particular individuals or groups
- generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through discussion, annotated sketches, cross-sectional and exploded diagrams, prototypes, pattern pieces and computer-aided design
- Make - select from and use a wider range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks [for example, cutting, shaping, joining and finishing], accurately select from and use a wider range of materials and components, including construction materials, textiles and ingredients, according to their functional properties and aesthetic qualities
- Evaluate - investigate and analyse a range of existing products evaluate their ideas and products against their own design criteria and consider the views of others to improve their work - understand how key events and individuals in design and technology have helped shape the world
- Technical knowledge - apply their understanding of how to strengthen, stiffen and reinforce more complex structures - understand and use mechanical systems in their products [for example, gears, pulleys, cams, levers and linkages] - understand and use electrical systems in their products [for example, series circuits incorporating switches, bulbs, buzzers and motors] - apply their understanding of computing to program, monitor and control their products
Cooking and nutrition
As part of their work with food, pupils should be taught how to cook and apply the principles of nutrition and healthy eating. Instilling a love of cooking in pupils will also open a door to one of the great expressions of human creativity. Learning how to cook is a crucial life skill that enables pupils to feed themselves and others affordably and well, now and in later life.
Design and Technology Curriculum Intent
It is the intent of St Giles CE Academy Primary School for Design Technology to be taught in all year groups through at least one topic per term, which includes one topic relating to food. Design Technology projects are often made cross curricular - linking to other subjects taught.
Our aims in teaching Design and Technology are that all children will build upon their natural enthusiasm for making things and to:
- find enjoyment in designing and making things for themselves
- give every child an awareness of how things are designed and made in the world around them
- encourage confidence and skill in designing and making according to ability
- develop skills in handling materials and tools
- develop appropriate vocabulary to help them to understand their work and the work of others
- appreciate and evaluate their own achievements and those of great inventors and engineers
- nurture creativity and innovation through designing and making.
- develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world
- build and apply a repertoire of knowledge, understanding and skills in order to design and make high-quality prototypes and products for a wide range of users
- critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products and the work of others
- understand and apply the principles of nutrition and learn how to cook.
Curriculum Implementation
The teaching of Design Technology across the school follows the National Curriculum and links with topics throughout school. Children design products with a purpose in mind and an intended user of the products. Food technology is implemented across the school with children developing an understanding of where food comes from, the importance of a varied and healthy diet and how to prepare this.
Design and technology is a crucial part of school life and learning and it is for this reason that as a school we are dedicated to the teaching and delivery of a high quality Design and Technology curriculum; through well planned and resourced projects and experiences.
Design and Technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject, requiring creativity, resourcefulness, and imagination. Pupils design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts. It is very cross - curricular and draws upon subject knowledge and skills within Mathematics, Science, History, Computing and Art. Children learn to take risks, be reflective, innovative, enterprising and resilient. Through the evaluation of past and present technology they can reflect upon the impact of Design Technology on everyday life and the wider world.
Curriculum Impact
Assessment of children's learning in Design Technology is an ongoing monitoring of children's understanding, knowledge and skills by the class teacher, throughout lessons. This assessment is then used to inform differentiation, support and challenge required by the children.
Summative assessment is conducted termly by class teachers across each year group of the school to inform the subject leader of progress or skills and knowledge still to be embedded. This is recorded on Insight Tracking.
Design Technology is also monitored by the subject leader throughout the year in the form of book monitoring, looking at outcomes and pupil interviews to discuss their learning and understanding and establish the impact of the teaching taking place.
EYFS pupils' progress and attainment is tracked using the Development Matters Framework and is recorded on Insight Tracking, telling us whether each individual child is below expected, at expected or above expected attainment for their age.
Design and Technology Progression Map Cycle A and B
