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.

The children design a product from different materials (be it wood, textiles or even food), create it and then evaluate the effectiveness. In all cases children are shown how to use the specific tools correctly and safely.

For example in Year One children make felt puppets, while our Year 2 design and make range for wraps and sandwiches for a class picnic. Year 5 design and build toys using cams and levers, while in Year 6 children use an electrical circuit to build a ‘super sucking’ vacuum cleaner. This subject is often taught in a block where the children work on their ideas over the course of a week, giving them the satisfaction of seeing a project right through from design to production in a short space of time.

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.