Design Technology
At St Lawrence, we strive to equip pupils with skills and qualifications to become the next generation of creative practitioners in their chosen field. Our mission is to build confidence and resilience by encouraging children to take ownership of their work and develop their thinking into creative and individual ideas that can be prototyped, tested and refined. In DT at St Lawrence, the children enjoy a holistic experience of the design process from researching existing products, to sketch to final outcome. They build and apply a repertoire of knowledge, understanding and skills in order to design and make high-quality products for a range of users. They are asked to articulately critique, evaluate and test their ideas using design specific vocabulary and importantly, in each year group, the children learn to understand and apply the principles of nutrition and how to cook. Additionally, community links have been made which gives the children wider opportunities for enjoyment and allows them to see the practical application of DT in later life. For example, year 4 take part in cookery classes at the local high school and parents and governors have volunteered throughout school to share their expertise with cooking and sewing. Enrichment opportunities for the children, such as STEM club and visits to Blackpool Illuminations Light Pool ensure that this subject is brought to life for the children.
By the end of Key Stage 1, children will be able to:
DESIGN
design purposeful, functional, appealing products for themselves and other users based on design criteria
generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through talking, drawing, templates, mock-ups and, where appropriate, information and communication technology
MAKE
select from and use a range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks [for example, cutting, shaping, joining and finishing]
select from and use a wide range of materials and components, including construction materials, textiles and ingredients, according to their characteristics
EVALUATE
explore and evaluate a range of existing products
evaluate their ideas and products against design criteria
TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE
build structures, exploring how they can be made stronger, stiffer and more stable
explore and use mechanisms [for example, levers, sliders, wheels and axles], in their products.
By the end of Key Stage 2, children will be able to:
DESIGN
use research and develop design criteria to inform the design of innovative, functional, appealing products that are fit for purpose, aimed at particular individuals or groups
generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through discussion, annotated sketches, cross-sectional and exploded diagrams, prototypes, pattern pieces and computer-aided design
MAKE
select from and use a wider range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks [for example, cutting, shaping, joining and finishing], accurately
select from and use a wider range of materials and components, including construction materials, textiles and ingredients, according to their functional properties and aesthetic qualities
EVALUATE
investigate and analyse a range of existing products
evaluate their ideas and products against their own design criteria and consider the views of others to improve their work
understand how key events and individuals in design and technology have helped shape the world
TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE
apply their understanding of how to strengthen, stiffen and reinforce more complex structures
understand and use mechanical systems in their products [for example, gears, pulleys, cams, levers and linkages]
understand and use electrical systems in their products [for example, series circuits incorporating switches, bulbs, buzzers and motors]
apply their understanding of computing to program, monitor and control their products
This is what a Barton St Lawrence DT pupil looks like:
YEAR 1:
Unit: Food Technology (Fruit Salad)
Explore existing products and investigate how they have been made.
Decide how existing products do/do not achieve their purpose. Develop a food vocabulary
Use pictures and words to convey what they want to design/make.
Propose more than one idea for their product.
Talk about their design as they develop and identify good and bad points.
Describe their drawings of ideas and intentions.
Use drawings to record ideas as they are developed.
Add notes to drawings to help explanations.
Develop a food vocabulary using taste, smell, texture and feel.
Cut, peel, grate, chop a range of ingredients.
Work safely and hygienically.
Discuss their work as it progresses.
Note changes made during the making process as annotation to plans/drawings.
Select ingredients from a limited range that will meet the design criteria.
Select and name the tools needed to prepare the ingredients.
Explain what they are making.
Explain which ingredients they are using and why.
Name the tools they are using.
Describe what they need to do next.
Here are some fabulous examples of DT in action at Barton St Lawrence:
Year 3 - Healthy Lunchbox project. Children worked with the community to execute their final products.
Year 4 - Food Technology at Broughton High School
Moving Vehicles
Year 4 Textiles - Making a Passport Holder
