Design & Technology

Design and technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject.

Using creativity and imagination, pupils design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. They acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art.

Pupils learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens. Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, they develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world.

Prior to the design process, children are explicitly taught the practical skills required to produce a high quality product. The children design a product from different materials, make it and then evaluate the effectiveness. In all cases children are shown how to use the specific tools correctly and safely.  A key aspect of the children’s learning is to allow them to explore their own initiatives and ideas, giving scope to make marvellous mistakes and learn from these.

In Year 1 children make felt puppets, while our Year 2 make a vehicle with axles, wheels, and chassis that is strong and stable. Year 4 design and make a hot pasta dish for a family lunch, whilst in Year 6 children use an electrical circuit to build a mechanism to tidy up litter from a class party. 

The national curriculum for design and technology aims to ensure that all pupils:

• 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.

Our vision:

‘To provide a creative curriculum which enables the children to design and create products for a user, with a purpose and functionality.  Children make their own design decisions, enabling them to be innovative and original.’