The National Curriculum for Design and Technology states that the subject should be “inspiring, rigorous and practical”. At EHPS Design and Technology aims to allow children to use their imagination and creativity to design and make and evaluate a range of products with different purposes within a variety of contexts. The DT curriculum links to other areas of the curriculum where appropriate, giving the tasks relevance and a purpose for learning.

We want the children to develop their imagination, their critical thinking and their understanding of the world around them through their love of Design and Technology.

We want our children to develop the technical knowledge and vocabulary in relation to structural design, mechanical and electrical systems, textiles, food production and nutrition.

We aim for our children to question and think innovatively about the world around them in order to design and develop their own products with a purpose in mind.

We aim for our children to apply their knowledge and skills to plan, make, test and evaluate prototypes and design products to meet a purpose for something or someone.

We aim for our children to learn how to design and follow their own recipes, learn how to cook, whilst applying the principles of good nutrition and healthy eating.

At East Hunsbury Primary School, we aim to implement this through a variety of teaching methods; Design and Technology lessons, developing skills in Art and Design, and through a cross curricular approach within other subject lessons.

DT will be taught 3 half terms in the school year.

Design and Technology projects will include:

Activities which involve investigating and evaluating existing products.

Focused tasks in which children develop particular aspects of knowledge and skills.

Activities in which children design and make something for a specific use or specific user.

East Hunsbury Primary School follows Plan Bee, to provide the Medium Term Maps to guarantee coverage and development year on year. These units have been selected to ensure the children’s DT experiences include Structures, Textiles, Mechanics, Food Technology and Electrical Control. It also provides comprehensive, easy to follow Short Term Plans with clear skills progression year on year, providing relevant power points, references and resource lists.

Throughout their time at EHPS, children will be investigating, designing, making and evaluating their products. Lessons will be hands on and engaging, with the children having access to a range of resources and materials. They will be encouraged to think critically in order to evaluate their past prototypes and when testing their current designs. This will allow the children to build upon their artistic skills and become more resourceful and resilient. 

The children will be able to show a coherent knowledge and range of DT skills and talk about their work using relevant technical language.

The children will demonstrate a willingness to design, make and test their own ideas and designs, whilst considering whether their product is fit for purpose.

The children will be assessed through a multi-faceted approach to include quizzes, skilful questioning, observations of practical tasks, the completed products and their ability to critique and evaluate their own and others designs and products.