Design and Technology

Vision Statement

Intent 

Design and Technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. At Newburn Manor, we want to harness pupils’ creativity and imagination to design and make products that solve real and relevant problems, within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values.

Implementation
 

Central to the teaching of design and technology will the development of research and design skills, understanding the making process, applying technical knowledge and considering how to evaluate our work.

In Key Stage 1, children will be taught to:
 

Research

• understand what a product is and who it is for
• understand how a product works and how it is used
• identify where they might find a product
• identify materials used to make a product
• express an opinion about a product

Design

• design purposeful, functional, appealing products for themselves and other users based on design criteria
• generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through talking, drawing, templates, mock-ups and, where appropriate, information and communication technology
   

Make

• select from and use a range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks such as cutting, shaping, joining and finishing
• select from and use a wide range of materials and components, including construction materials, textiles and ingredients, according to their characteristics
   

Evaluate

• explore and evaluate a range of existing products
• evaluate their ideas and products against design criteria
   

Technical knowledge

• build structures, exploring how they can be made stronger, stiffer and more stable
• explore and use mechanisms, such as levers, sliders, wheels and axles, in their products.

In Key Stage 2, children will be taught to:

Research

• identify who made the product, when it was made and what its purpose is
• identify what the product has been made from and how environmentally friendly the materials are
• evaluate the product on design, appearance and use
• identify the cost to make the product and whether it has any other purposes e.g. leading innovation of the time, trend setting.
   

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, annotated sketches, cross-sectional and exploded diagrams, prototypes, pattern pieces and computer-aided design
   

Make

• select from and use a wider range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks, such as cutting, shaping, joining and finishing, accurately
• select from and use a wider range of materials and components, including construction materials, textiles and ingredients, according to their functional properties and aesthetic qualities
   

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
• understand how key events and individuals in design and technology have helped shape the world
   

Technical knowledge

• apply their understanding of how to strengthen, stiffen and reinforce more complex structures
• understand and use mechanical systems in their products, such as gears, pulleys, cams, levers and linkages
• understand and use electrical systems in their products, such as series circuits incorporating switches, bulbs, buzzers and motors
• apply their understanding of computing to programme, monitor and control their products.

These skills will underpin key concepts covering mechanisms, structures, food, textiles, mechanical systems and electrical systems. These concepts will be explored during three blocks over the course of a school year in order to give children focused and extended time on each discipline. Each concept has been carefully placed to allow pupils to make links to other areas of learning and ensure a good coverage of skills throughout each key stage. Please see the progression of skills document below for more detail.

The three design and technology weeks are placed alongside three blocks of art which can be seen on the whole school overview below. Design and technology is shaded purple.

In Reception, the teaching of design and technology has been formulated around Early Learning Goals, whilst preparing our children for Y1 and beyond. They will also have the opportunity to explore design and technology through play in the classroom.

Impact

We want our children to be ready for the next stage of their design and technology education, but to also become resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens. Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, they will develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world.