Design and Technology

Teaching and Learning

DT is taught to all children in school on a weekly basis, every other half term, to develop key skills. Pupils are encouraged to investigate, plan, adapt and evaluate their work while working on their own, in pairs and small groups.  All lessons are designed to promote enjoyment of DT and embed the purpose and importance of the subject.  The core aims of the National Curriculum are addressed in each lesson. Our approach to the planning, assessment and teaching of DT throughout the school is organised in our mixed age, class groupings. 

 As well as bespoke lessons, we often teach DT alongside other core and foundation subjects. For example, in History you might see pupils from years 2 and 3 creating sculptures and models based on Ancient Egypt or pupils in reception and year 1 making their own castle models based on their cross-curricular topic work. Similarly, in Computing you may see children designing and creating their own programmable robots. These cross-curricular links help children to develop a secure understanding of materials, structures, mechanisms and controls whilst thinking about what their work will be used for and the needs of those who use them.  

 Across all year groups children learn how to safely use a variety of tools under supervision to create quality items.   All learning is encouraged using the principles of design, make and evaluate.  Teaching allows children to strengthen their technical knowledge by giving support and guidance when developing projects.

We incorporate local influences to develop our interest and love for DT. For example, children from Acorns take part in Forest School sessions which allow the children to link nature with DT.  We also liaise with local artists and other experts to access different styles of design and technology.

 As pupils progress, we ensure they are able to think critically and develop a more rigorous understanding of design and technology. We also give pupils the opportunity to appreciate DT, both in and out of school.

Our teaching of Art and Design aims to ensure that all pupils:

• produce creative and practical work, exploring their ideas and recording their experiences

• become proficient in using a range of tools to draw, painting, sculpture and other carry out other art, craft and design techniques

• evaluate and analyse their own work against design criteria.

• know about how great artists, craft makers and designers and key events in design and technology have helped shape the world.

Sequenced Learning

By the end of each key stage, pupils are expected to know, apply and understand the matters, skills and processes specified in the relevant programme of study. 

During EYFS, children should be taught to safely use, explore and experiment with a variety of materials, tools and techniques thinking about their purposes and how they can use them to represent their own ideas. By Key stage 1, pupils should be taught to design purposeful, functional, appealing products based on design criteria. They should be able to use their prior knowledge to select from and use a range of tools, equipment and materials. During Key Stage 1, pupils should begin to evaluate products and suggest improvements to improve them. As the pupils move into Key stage 2, they should be taught to take time to research and develop their own design criteria to create innovative, functional and appealing products design for a specific purpose. They should be taught to perform practical tasks accurately using a wide range of tools and materials.  During Key Stage 2, pupils should begin to analyse and evaluate their own products, and those made by others, against a set of design criteria and suggest improvements to improve them.