Design Technology

“Learning how to make our own products using our own ideas.”

 

Intent

At Boldmere we want our children to be creative; to design and make something for somebody for some purpose.

At Boldmere Infant and Nursery we want children to develop a range of practical skills to make and design a variety of products. We want children to have the resilience to evaluate and adapt their work. We aim to develop a curiosity and awareness about familiar products, and how they work and are made.

 

Implementation

In the EYFS, opportunities to design, make and evaluate are always available through continuous provision. Children are supported to learn and practise skills including cutting, joining and assembling using a variety of equipment and materials, including construction kits.

In KS1, children learn through topic-related projects, working through the process of designing, making and evaluating. In all year groups, children are provided with opportunities to prepare food and learn about hygiene and healthy eating.

 

Our Curriculum

Through a variety of creative and practical activities, our children are taught the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to engage in the process of designing and making.

 

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 [for example, 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 [for example, levers, sliders, wheels and axles], in their products.

 

Cooking and nutrition

  • use the basic principles of a healthy and varied diet to prepare dishes
  • understand where food comes from

 

 

 

 

 

Take a look at some of our DT in action

Year One – Wind-up toys that we created.

 

Year Two – Cooking & Nutrition

 

Year Two – Moving vehicles for our class animal to travel around the world in.

“Design and Technology in primary schools develops children’s skills and knowledge in design, structures, mechanisms and a range of materials, including food. It encourages children's creativity and encourages them to think about important issues.”

 

Useful websites

The Design and Technology Association Website

KS1 Design and Technology - A guide to the Key Stage 1 design and technology curriculum and how you can support your child's DT learning at home.

BBC Bitesize - Design and Technology - clips, lessons and games for children.

Curriculum