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D&T

Subject Coordinator - Miss C Smyth

Please click here to see our Curriculum Intent statement

“Design and Technology prepares children to participate in tomorrow’s rapidly changing technologies. The subject calls for pupils to become autonomous and creative problem solvers, as individuals and members of a team. They combine practical skills and as they do so they reflect on and evaluate their design and technology, its uses and effects. Through Design and Technology all pupils can become discriminating and informed users of products and become innovators.”

Design and Technology in the National Curriculum Statutory Orders 2000.

Aims of the subject

To develop a broad range of designing and making skills and the ability to apply these in a variety of situations.

To gain knowledge of and confidence in using a variety of materials, components and tools.

To develop the ability to evaluate the products made and those of others, including those from other cultures.

To be able to follow a design, manage and use appropriate knowledge, processes and resources, to a successful outcome.

To be aware of the contribution of Design & Technology in everyday life and to be able to identify needs that they can address at home, at school and in the community, in order to develop an understanding of citizenship.

To be aware of the health and safety issues related to Design & Technology

Take a look at what the children have been getting up to in Design & Technology!

Pre-School

The children have access to 'mark making' and 'junk modelling' through adult led activities. Ideas are offered for how to cut, stick and attach materials, as well as giving children chance to think of their own ideas.
We encourage healthy eating and begin to share with the children names of healthy foods. Children are invited to help prepare and peel fruit ready for snack times. We always remember 'hygiene first' and the importance of washing our hands before eating.

Nursery

The children in Nursery have access to 'mark making' and 'Junk modelling' within the provision, which they enjoy using to cut, stick, attach to build their own designs.
As part of our 'The Gingerbread Man' topic, the children look at a recipe for making Gingerbread men and then work together to add the ingredients, mix and knead the dough ready for baking. Taste testing always goes down a treat.
The children love playing with play dough and we encourage them to have a go at helping to mix the ingredients to make it alongside staff. Sometimes it is a bit too sticky and the children are quick to tell us "We need to add more flour".
During the lead up to Christmas we once again use those skills to create salt dough, which the children then enjoy using cutters to create their own Christmas decorations which once hardened they can paint and decorate during our Christmas celebration afternoon.

Reception

The children have been looking at the topic of 'The Farm' and building on their literacy skills by looking at how a recipe is written. After learning about a recipe for bread in a bag, the children had a go themselves at cooking their own bread.
Whilst looking at the traditional tale of 'The 3 Billy Goats', the children were invited to use a range of materials to build their own bridge. Using resources such as straws, lollipop sticks, paper, card to test which would be stronger and more stable.

Year One

Children in Year One have been busy designing and then creating their own Diva lamps using clay and tools to mould into shape. They had to ensure they met the design brief of being able to fit a candle inside to be a successful Diva lamp. The children then used paint to create beautiful patterns.
Whilst celebrating Divali, we also thought about healthy eating and prepared a fresh fruit salad. Children were able to talk about why fruit is healthy and taste a variety of different chopped fruits.

Year Two

Children in Year Two have been busy designing a pirate ship with a working pulley/anchor. After thinking about the materials they could use, they then set about creating their design. Using boxes, wooden dowelling, string etc they were able to successfully create a movable pulley. They then used paint to decorate their pirate ships. The children then evaluated their design, thinking about what worked well and what they might change if they were to design it again.
Whilst learning about the Great Fire of London, children set about designing their own fire engines. They were tasked with including axles and wheels so that their vehicle could move. It was lovely to welcome family into school as part of this Inspire workshop.