Design and Technology

DESIGN & TECHNOLOGY

‘Design is thinking made visual’ Saul Bass

Design & Technology helps to prepare pupils to participate in tomorrow’s rapidly changing technologies. Design and Technology is an inspiring, rigorous & practical subject. It encourages children to learn to think and intervene creatively to solve problems both as individuals and as members of a team. We encourage children to use their creativity and imagination, to design and make products within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. We aim to, wherever possible, link work to other disciplines such as mathematics, science, computing and art. The children are also given opportunities to reflect upon and evaluate past and present design technology, its uses and its effectiveness and are encouraged to become innovators and risk-takers; to critique, evaluate and test their ideas & understand the principles of nutrition/learn to cook.

Through a variety of creative and practical activities, we teach the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to engage in an iterative process of designing and making. When designing and making, the children are 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

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 in gradients, 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
apply their understanding of how to strengthen, stiffen and reinforce more complex structures
understand and use mechanical systems in their products understand and use electrical systems in their products
apply their understanding of computing to program, monitor and control their products key skills and key knowledge for D&T have been mapped across the school to ensure progression between year groups. Design and technology lessons are also taught as a block so that children’s learning is focused throughout each unit of work.