Design & Technology

Design and Technology in the EYFS

The EYFS offers many opportunities for the children to carry out Design and Technology tasks throughout all the areas of learning. The most relevant EYFS outcomes for DT are taken from:

Physical Development

Understanding the World

Expressive Arts and Design

Design and technology-related activities are appropriate for the developmental stage of the children. The children have numerous opportunities to explore and experiment with construction kits and to experiment with different materials using a range of big and small play equipment. They will have opportunities to talk about their ideas and discoveries and to pursue their own investigations to test out their ideas. Through the curriculum they will develop their practical skills (cutting, sticking, manipulating materials) and where appropriate, the teacher demonstrates  the skills needed, for example, ways of joining materials. The activities set build upon previously learnt skills and prior experience and follow the interests of the children.

The context will sometimes be set by the teacher or teaching assistant but at other times, it will be set by the children in their quest to find something out or try a different skill or way of doing a task. Tasks will be appropriate to the children’s previous experience and will naturally lead the child forward in their thinking.

Designing may take the form of drawing, showing, arranging things practically, talking through and sharing ideas – putting their thoughts in order and sequencing what they are going to try. 

Much of the learning in Design and Technology occurs weekly through Wellie Wednesday - a day when the children work outdoors exploring the natural environment and the world around them. 

Design and Technology in Curriculum 2014

Pupils learn to design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within different contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. Part of the process also involves evaluating the past and present design and technology and developing a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world. In Key Stage 1, children will be taught to design products based on design criteria and to communicate their ideas; to select appropriate materials and construction methods; to use tools and equipment to make their models and to evaluate and to suggest improvements. In Key Stage 2, they will progressively develop their designing, making and evaluating skills, using a wider range of materials and techniques and will further develop their technical knowledge through the use of electrical systems, computer programming and the use of more complex structures and mechanical systems.

Cooking and nutrition will be taught across both key stages. Teaching will focus on the principles of a healthy diet, the origins of food, preparation and cooking skills and an understanding of seasonality.

Key Stage 1

Year 1 and 2

When designing and making, pupils will be taught 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

Key Stage 2 

Years 3, 4, 5 and 6

When designing and making, pupils will be taught 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.  

Food Technology

Cooking and Nutrition

As part of their work with food, pupils will be taught how to cook and apply the principles of nutrition and healthy eating. Pupils will be taught to:

Key Stage 1

• use the basic principles of a healthy and varied diet to prepare dishes
• understand where food comes from.

Key Stage 2

• understand and apply the principles of a healthy and varied diet
• prepare and cook a variety of predominantly savoury dishes using a range of cooking techniques
• understand seasonality, and know where and how a variety of ingredients are grown, reared, caught and processed.