Introduction

At the Gateway Primary Academy, we recognise that Design and Technology is an important part of the curriculum, which gives our children the opportunity to think creatively to solve problems as individuals and as members of a team. Our carefully planned DT curriculum, ensures that our children develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform tasks confidently and to participate successfully in a technological world.

National Curriculum

Our Design and Technology curriculum fulfils the following aims from the National Curriculum:

• 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 will my child develop their skills in DT across the school?

EYFS

Design and technology in EYFS is taught throughout the curriculum as it involves the children making, changing and modifying (or designing) things for themselves and making their own choices.  It links well to other areas of the EYFS curriculum.  Children are allowed to explore a wide range of objects and materials with different textures, shapes and sizes, and weights which they then use to create.  There is a focus on the physical skills involved such as cutting, bending, sticking and the use of simple tools.

Key Stage One

Design and Technology is taught through creative projects linked to our topic based curriculum. The children are set challenges and problems to solve and are introduced to the TASC approach to help them plan their ideas. They look carefully at a range of existing products through photos and hands on experiences. They develop their designs and are encouraged to add labels to identify the materials they are intending to use. The children are also introduced to the idea of using computer software to draw their design, for example ‘2Simple’. They are introduced to the idea of design criteria and the concept of making a product for themselves or someone else. Throughout our projects, they are given opportunities to create mock-ups and prototypes using a range of construction, such as: Lego.

Our projects give the children the opportunity to use a range of tools and equipment. In Year 1, they investigate different ways to join materials and begin to create free standing structures, during their playground unit linked to the local area. In Year 2, they are introduced to using sewing to join materials together and create woodland animal hand puppets. They are introduced to using graters and hack saws in Year 2. They are encouraged to choose from a wide range of materials and think about which would be most suitable for their project.

In Key Stage One the children begin to develop their evaluation skills and explore how they can improve their structures by making them stronger or stiffer for example. They are introduced to the idea of mechanisms when they make their pop-up puppets.

They are introduced to the key principles of cooking and nutrition and follow instructions to make healthy snacks in Year 1. They develop their understanding of seasonality and where food comes from during our Year 1 Science seasons project. In Year 2 they begin to develop their understanding of the EatWell plate and use this to help them create their design for a healthy sandwich.

Throughout all of our DT teaching health and safety is a key component and developing the children’s understanding of how to use equipment safely.

Key Stage Two

Design and Technology continues to be developed through creative projects linked to our topic based curriculum. The TASC approach continues to be developed, encouraging the children to evaluate existing products for structures, mechanisms and other design aspects to use or adapt. 

Our projects give the children the opportunity to use a range of tools and equipment. In Year 3, they investigate the creation of shape and details through careful cutting to make shadow puppets and the use of chopping, peeling and cutting in cooking. In Year 4, they are introduced to a range of stitches, including the backstitch, to make a Viking purse. Year 5 continue developing the application of structures to make working land yachts, making use of handsaws to alter wood to suit their design. Year 6 focus on creating secure structures in the form of Anderson Shelters, learning about the struts that have the greatest integrity. 

Throughout Key Stage 2, cooking and nutrition are a focus to ensure the children develop an understanding of living healthy lifestyles. Year 3 compare our modern food, with that of The Romans and they learn about the EatWell plate in relation to the Science topic on Healthy Bodies. Year 4 build on these skills, making comparisons to a Tudor diet and designing a Tudor feast.  Year 5 study breads from around the world, culminating in creating their own bread and using a range of skills such a kneading and proving. Year 6 continue their study of the EatWell plate by looking at the nutritional value of rationing. 

Throughout all of our DT teaching health and safety is a key component and developing the children’s understanding of how to use equipment safely. 

For more information about the knowledge and skills your child will be taught in each year group at The Gateway please refer to the documents below:

Designers, engineers and inventors

Through our DT curriculum, the children are introduced to designers, inventors and engineers from a range of background and periods of history. During our history topics, we discuss the work of architects and the legacy on our lives today. Where possible, we visit historical buildings in the local area to enhance the children’s learning, for example: the Roman Villa in Lullingstone. Often our inventors are linked to our science work and we look at how their work has impacted on their area of science.

How will my child use computers to support their learning in design and technology?

Computing is used to enhance the teaching and learning in design and technology and children are introduced to using a range of programmes to support their DT work. In Key Stage One they are introduced to using computer programmes to create their design and begin to add labels. In Key Stage Two they develop this further by creating more detailed designs and packaging. They also use the internet to research existing products.