Intent
Design and technology education involves learning about the designed and made world, understanding how things work and designing and making functional products for particular purposes and users.
Pupils need opportunities to handle collections of existing products related to their projects and learn how to ask questions such as who the products are for, what they are for and how they work.
Design and Technology at Peaslake School is about giving the children the freedom to explore and manipulate materials and the resources to build, construct, cut, join and connect.
Implementation
Junk modelling, that starts in the nursery is continued into Reception and children apply their imaginations to the objects they are creating. Through continuous provision children use the mud kitchen to collect natural materials to mix and stir and create exotic dishes in their role play. They use a range of different sized construction blocks to build bridges, ships, castles and towers so that they can start to experience the capability of different materials.
In key stage 1 skills are further developed through more structured projects, each year they experience the three different aspects of DT: mechanisms, textiles and nutrition.
DT is a collaborative subject, it starts by talking about ideas, drawing upon previous knowledge and experiences to think critically, solve problems, share ideas and take turns. When making design decisions pupils will have the opportunity to select from a range of different materials and tools related to the project. The skills children learn in the subject can also support learning across the whole curriculum, from science and maths to literacy.
Impact
By the end of KS1
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Design
Pupils will be able to design purposeful, functional, appealing products for themselves or others.
They can generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through talking, drawing, templates, mock-ups and where appropriate, information and technology.
Make
Pupils can select from and use a range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks eg. Cut, shape, join and finish.
They can select from and use a wide range of materials and components, including construction materials, textiles and ingredients, according to their characteristics.
Evaluate
Pupils will be able to explore and evaluate a range of existing products.
They can evaluate their ideas and products against design criteria.
Technical Knowledge
Pupils will be able to build structures, exploring how they can be made stronger, stiffer and more stable.
They can explore and use mechanisms eg levers, sliders, wheels and axels in their products.
Textiles and Collage
Pupils will be able to create a simple product using a joining stitch.
They will be able to use a range of materials to create a variety of textured collages.
Cooking and Nutrition
Pupils will be able to use the basic principles of a healthy and varied diet to prepare dishes
They will understand where food comes from.
