Design and technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. Using creativity and imagination, pupils design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values.
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The essence of DT is to design and make a product for somebody and for a purpose. At Mount Pleasant we aim to challenge our pupils to solve problems, develop original ideas and learn practical skills whilst undertaking DT tasks. Challenges set should be relevant to the topic the children are doing or should meet a real life need. They should inspire and engage the pupil to take risks, enabling them to become resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens.
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DT
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Children enjoy developing practical skills and make swift progress to develop knowledge and understanding of materials when they have specific problems or challenges to solve that fire up their enthusiasm so at Mount Pleasant we aim to ensure tasks are well planned, setting clear guidelines for the children to follow. This will allow them scope for originality, the chance to modify and improve designs, to develop technical competence and gain a good understanding of mechanisms, structures and food. A range of resources, including ICT and computer-aided design will be used to support learning and children will be encouraged to draw upon other disciplines such as mathematics, science, computing and art. Children’s work should be celebrated and shared at every opportunity. Each child has a DT book which details design work from Design Brief to Evaluation of the Product and provides an insight into their progress and achievement.
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Our Intent
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Use creativity and innovation to design purposeful and appealing products for themselves and for others that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts.
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Use a range of tools confidently and skilfully, selecting on a fit for purpose basis.
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Articulate their ideas in a variety of formats.
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Evaluate their work against a design criteria, considering their own and others’ views in how to modify and improve work whilst demonstrating resilience and respect.
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Develop a critical understanding of the impact of design on our daily lives through a study inventors, designers, engineers and chefs who have developed ground breaking products.
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To have fun, be challenged, work with others and learn in a practical context
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Subject Leader: Mrs Doran
Key stage 1
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When designing and making, pupils should be taught to:
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Design
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design purposeful, functional, appealing products for themselves and other users based on design criteria
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generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through talking, drawing, templates, mock-ups and, where appropriate, information and communication technology
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Make
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select from and use a range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks [for example, cutting, shaping, joining and finishing]
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select from and use a wide range of materials and components, including construction materials, textiles and ingredients, according to their characteristics
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Evaluate
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explore and evaluate a range of existing products
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evaluate their ideas and products against design criteria
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Technical knowledge
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build structures, exploring how they can be made stronger, stiffer and more stable
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explore and use mechanisms [for example, levers, sliders, wheels and axles] in their products
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Key stage 2
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When designing and making, pupils should be taught to:
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Design
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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
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generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through discussion, annotated sketches, cross-sectional and exploded diagrams, prototypes, pattern pieces and computer-aided design
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Make
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select from and use a wider range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks [for example, cutting, shaping, joining and finishing], accurately
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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
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Evaluate
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investigate and analyse a range of existing products
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evaluate their ideas and products against their own design criteria and consider the views of others to improve their work
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understand how key events and individuals in design and technology have helped shape the world
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Technical knowledge
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apply their understanding of how to strengthen, stiffen and reinforce more complex structures
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understand and use mechanical systems in their products [for example, gears, pulleys, cams, levers and linkages]
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understand and use electrical systems in their products [for example, series circuits incorporating switches, bulbs, buzzers and motors]
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apply their understanding of computing to program, monitor and control their products