Design & Technology

Design and Technology in our school will develop your children’s skills and knowledge in design, structures, mechanisms, electrical control, and food. It will teach them to be responsible, resilient, resourceful, compassionate and accountable. We feel it is vital to nurture creativity and innovation through design, and by exploring the designed and made world in which we all live and work. Teachers use the Projects on a Page Scheme of Work which leads children to design and make Something for Someone for Some Purpose.

What is Primary Design and Technology?

Design and Technology education involves two important elements – learning about the designed and made world and how things work, and learning how to design and make functional products for particular purposes and users. The skills learned in D&T also help with learning across the whole curriculum. Children will be encouraged to be independent learners, but they will also work as part of a team, sharing ideas, listening to each other and finding solutions to problems. They will be actively encouraged to think about important issues such as material sustainability, recycling, and enterprise opportunities.

Why is D&T important?

Design and Technology is about providing opportunities for children to develop their confidence and ability in a range of different ways. By combining their design and making skills with knowledge and understanding, they learn to create a product fit for purpose. D&T brings learning to life. D&T is often one of a child’s favourite subjects as they like making decisions for themselves and working practically. They love creating products that they can see, touch – and even taste – for themselves. We hope to promote a sense of pride and achievement in their end product, with the added advantage that this in turn, enhances their confidence. There is no right or wrong, only success in finding solutions to a problem.

EYFS

In Reception children follow the educational programmes set out in the EYFS Framework 2021. Children learn through exploring the ‘Creating with Materials’ strand of the ‘Expressive Arts and Design’ area of learning, which is underpinned by Communication and Language and Physical development. Children are immersed in experiences and activities through a mixture of play based and adult led tasks that ignite their interest for Art and Design and Technology. They explore using a variety of materials, tools and techniques, experimenting with colour, design, texture, form and function and share their creations, explaining the process they have used.