Design Technology

In Design and technology, we aim to inspire pupils with relevant high-quality teaching which is accessible to all children. DT develops children’s skills and knowledge in design, structures, mechanisms, electrical control and a range of materials, including food. It encourages children’s creativity and encourages them to think about important challenges. 

As outlined in the National Curriculum document, we follow a ‘Design, Make, Evaluate’ approach to the teaching and learning of DT. 

Design and technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. Using creativity and imagination, pupils will design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. They will acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art. Pupils will learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens. Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, they will develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world. We want Design and technology to “spark excitement”, “encourage resilience” and “inspire” our children to enable them to actively contribute to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of themselves, their community and their nation. 

At Dunston Hill Community Primary School, we provide our pupils with opportunities to develop their skills, using a variety of tools and materials, including card, plastic, wood, textiles and food. Children are encouraged to revisit, plan, design, make and also evaluate their work through a variety of creative and practical activities.

We believe that children should learn to produce practical solutions to real problems and in so doing they will not only develop their technical understanding and making skills, but they will also learn about design methods and investigate their environment and the materials around them.  

During Design and technology lessons, the children are given the opportunity to recall past learning. They will develop the values of: working together, open-mindedness, risk-taking, enquiring, communication, collaboration, creativity, enthusiasm and adaptability.

Clear and meaningful feedback provided by teachers is driven by the desire to eliminate misconceptions and to further embed, deepen and challenge knowledge and understanding.  Staff attend training, observe lessons and plan thoroughly to ensure expert subject knowledge. They look at the progression of skills to ensure that previous learning is built upon and coverage is achieved.

Our approach to Design and technology ensures that children develop creative, technical and practical expertise that is appropriate to their year group. They think critically about products, demographics, product purposes and sectors and use this knowledge to inform their choices in designing.

Children are enthusiastic about their DT lessons and thrive when creating products that are relevant to them and their lives such as pencil cases and toys.  They show initiative when carrying out research and work productively with others and independently.

• Through DT children, are able to assess risks; they become responsible designers and makers and learn how to use tools, equipment and materials safely, hygienically and carefully (with precision appropriate to their age and ability).
• Children will know about existing technologies, designs and designers and be able further their own work using this knowledge.
• Children will be able to critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products and use these outcomes to refine and improve how they work and what they produce.
• Children will know core principles of healthy eating, understand balanced diet and food groups.
• Sustainability goals and minimising wastage will inform how the children design, manufacture and evaluate their own and other’s products.