Design Technology
What is Design Technology?
Design and technology explores designing and making products that solve problems, and then evaluating how successful the results are. It is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject.
Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.
At our school pupils are taught to become discerning individuals, to be able to think critically about the products they use every day. They aspire to become imaginative and creative designers and producers of products in a variety of contexts considering their own needs and that of others.
Design and Technology is divided into 5 areas – cutting and joining, structures, textiles, food and nutrition, mechanisms, with an additional area for upper Key Stage Two of simple electrical systems.
In EYFS children are encouraged to explore a range of construction equipment, junk modelling, both indoors and outdoors, designing and building for a purpose. Children are encouraged to think creatively, solving problems and evaluating their success, through first hand experiences.
In Key Stage One, pupils develop their Design and Technology understanding by using common words and phrases relating to the subject. They also begin to build their sense of understanding as they investigate how products work and are assembled.
They design purposeful, functional, appealing products for themselves and other users based on design criteria and generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through talking, drawing, templates, mock-ups and, where appropriate, computing technology.
To develop their practical skills, pupils select from and use a range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks [for example, cutting, shaping, joining and finishing] They are given opportunities to select from and use a wide range of materials, including construction materials, textiles and ingredients.
In Key Stage Two, pupils continue the development of their Design and Technology understanding by using more technical vocabulary. They also build on their sense of understanding as they investigate how more complex products work and are assembled. Children are encouraged to develop their design skills by using investigative understanding, experiences, creativity and imagination.
Pupils will select from and use a wider range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks. More emphasis is placed on the evaluation of the product and the child’s ability to analyse their product against design criteria.