Design and Technology

Develops young children’s skills and knowledge in design, structures, mechanisms, electrical control and a range of materials, including food.

Vision for Design and Technology (Intent)

Design and Technology prepares children to deal with tomorrows rapidly changing world. It encourages children to become independent, creative problem solvers as individuals and part of a team. It enables pupils to identify needs and opportunities, as well as to respond to them by developing a range of ideas, making products and systems. Using creativity and imagination, pupils design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. They acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art. Pupils learn how to take risks and innovate. Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology they develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life in the wider world. Pupils design and technology capability will be enhanced through combining their designing and making skills with knowledge and understanding.

At ECSTG our Design and Technology curriculum allows pupils to investigate a need or respond to an opportunity to make or modify a product. As pupils progress, they develop knowledge, understanding and capability in the various skills and processes used when investigating, designing, making and evaluating. Pupils will reflect on success and areas to develop that will impact future challenges. Our aim is provide vital knowledge and skills which will enable pupils to make an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well- being of the nation.

DT Subject Lead-

Long Term Plan

Download (pdf)

Key Vocabulary

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National Curriculum Aims

The National Curriculum for Design and Technology aims to ensure that all pupils:

develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world
build and apply a repertoire of knowledge, understanding and skills in order to design and make high-quality prototypes and products for a wide range of users
critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products and the work of others
understand and apply the principles of nutrition and learn how to cook.

How is DT taught and what does it look like at St. George’s? (Implementation)

What will my child leave St. George’s knowing, understanding and appreciating in DT? (Impact)

Design and Technology at St. George’s is taught through a weekly lesson. Each year group completes 3 units over the academic year. These units are designed and sequenced so that pupils can build on their knowledge and skills throughout the year and as they progress through school. All children complete a unit on cooking and nutrition each year.

By the end of Year 6, children will be able to design, make and evaluate a range of products.

In Key Stage 1, learning is focused on:

Mechanisms
Materials
Construction
Cooking and nutrition

In Key Stage 2, learning is focused on:

Cooking and nutrition

Electrical and mechanical components

Stiff and flexible sheet materials

Mouldable materials

Our children leave St. George’s with the technical knowledge and ability to work with tools, equipment, materials and components to make quality products. They will be able to design a product with an end user in mind. Children will be able to decide on their design criteria and then use their skills and knowledge to make products that meet them. They will be able to evaluate their product against the design criteria and say how well they have met them.
Children will be skilled in problem-solving and will be able to think creatively. They will have explored a range of materials and components. They will have an understanding of how these can be used to achieve an end goal.
This is demonstrated in knowledge and understanding books and through our broad and balanced DT curriculum and embedded key knowledge and vocabulary.
Children will have visited a variety of places to deepen their understanding and bring DT to life. They will have had visits from adults who work in industry to inspire them and to develop their understanding of the role of technology in the wider world.