Design and Technology

Design and Technology (DT) Intent

At Manor, our DT curriculum enables children to:

• develop imaginative thinking in children and to enable them to talk about what they like and dislike when designing and making things;
• talk about how things work, and to draw and model their ideas;
• select appropriate tools and techniques for making a product, whilst following safe procedures;
• foster enjoyment, satisfaction and purpose in designing and making things;
• use ICT to enhance the teaching of design and technology through a range of software;
• think and intervene creatively to solve problems both as individuals and as members of a team;
• use their creativity and imagination;
• design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values;
• link work to other disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art;
• reflect upon and evaluate past and present design technology.

Implementation 

Through a variety of creative and practical activities, we teach the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to engage in an interactive process of designing and making. The children design and create products that consider function and purpose and which are relevant to a range of sectors.

During the EYFS pupils explore and use a variety of media and materials through a combination of child initiated and adult directed activities. They have the opportunities to learn to:

• use different media and materials to express their own ideas;
• use what they have learnt about media and materials in original ways, thinking about form, function and purpose;
• make simple plans and construct with a purpose in mind using a variety of resources in plan, do, review sessions;
• develop skills to use simple tools and techniques appropriately, effectively and safely;
• select appropriate resources for a product and adapt their work where necessary;
• cook and prepare food adhering to good health and hygiene routines.

Learning in KS1 builds on this foundation. In KS1, 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;
• generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through discussion, drawings, templates, mock-ups  and where appropriate use information and communication technology.

Make:
• select from and use a wider range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks (for example, cutting, shaping, joining and finishing, as well as chopping and slicing) accurately;
• select from and use a wider range of materials, ingredients and components, including construction materials, textiles and ingredients, according to their functional properties, aesthetic qualities and, where appropriate, taste.

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.

Technical knowledge:
• apply their understanding of how to strengthen, stiffen and reinforce more complex structures;
• understand and use mechanical systems in their products;
• understand some of the ways that food can be processed and the effect of different cooking practices.

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The key skills for Design and Technology have been mapped across the key stages to ensure clear progression. The context for the children’s work in Design and Technology is also well considered and children learn about real life structures and the purpose of specific examples, as well as developing their skills throughout the programme of study. Design and Technology lessons are also taught as a block so that children’s learning is focused throughout each unit of work.

Impact

By the time the children leave Manor at the end of Year 2 they will:

• know about mechanisms and structures and have made their own;
• have new skills and techniques to make different items;
• be able to design appealing products which serve a purpose;
• be able to use a wide range of tools to create different effects;
• be able to present and evaluate their finished products.