Design and Technology

Design & technology prepares children to deal with tomorrow’s rapidly changing world. It encourages children to become independent, creative problem-solvers and think as individuals and as part of a team. It enables them to identify the needs of the consumers and respond to them by developing a range of ideas and by making products. Design & technology helps all children to develop key life skills that can stay with them as they grow.

At Aldbury School, our design & technology curriculum is constructed to inspire children think collaboratively and innovatively. We provide varied learning opportunities which aim to develop not only children’s technical skill in design & technology, but also to develop their wider knowledge of product design and their ability to apply vocabulary accurately.

Design & technology is delivered as a discrete subject and, wherever possible, cross curricular links are formed. Design & technology links well with many other subjects, such as art, maths and science and teachers carefully plan these links to ensure they are meaningful.

Our design & technology curriculum covers the skills outlined in the National Curriculum through broad, challenging and inspiring units of work that allow children to build on skills they have learnt in previous year groups. During our two year rolling curriculum, children will design and make products under these categories: structures, textiles and mechanisms. KS2 children also complete a unit with electrical components. Every year, all children will have the opportunity to develop their cooking skills. This ensures that by the end of year 6 pupils have a wealth of knowledge and skills to aid in their future studies.

Design & technology lessons begin with market research (looking at existing products). They learn about the product they are working towards creating and the success criteria for doing so (who it is for and its purpose).

New learning is presented in small and simple steps, after which pupils are provided time to practise, in an effort to support working memory. Teachers pose carefully considered questions which elicit information from pupils and allows them to provide responses that deepen their understanding.

When designing their product, children try out different ideas, before deciding on their final plan. Children then make their product, following their design. They have opportunities to test their products as they go along to allow them to evaluate and make changes continuously. At the end of the unit, they carry out their final test and evaluate their product against the success criteria developed at the start of the unit.

Pupils are shown how to work in accordance with health and safety guidance when using tools and materials. They are supplied with all the materials and tools needed to create a functional product in the classroom.

Examples of Learning