Design Technology
Intent
Design and technology is about designing and creating something, for someone, for some purpose. It involves focusing on the 6 key areas of design technology: the user, design decisions, purpose, functionality, innovation and authenticity.
Children will investigate, plan, evaluate and using a wide range of materials in different situations to achieve different goals. Design and technology prepares children to take part in the development of tomorrow’s rapidly changing world and allow them to experience innovation and be creative.
It encourages children to become autonomous and creative problem-solvers, both as individuals and as part of a team. It enables them to identify needs and opportunities and to respond by developing ideas, and eventually making products and systems. Through the study of design and technology, children combine practical skills with an understanding of aesthetic, social and environmental issues, as well as of functions and industrial practices. This allows them to reflect on and evaluate present and past design and technology, its uses and its impacts.
Design and technology helps all children to become discriminating and informed consumers and potential innovators.
Implementation
At Hareside, we teach Design and Technology in project based lessons. We follow the research, design, make, evaluate cycle. All lessons are enhanced through real life experiences, technical knowledge and practical skills.
While researching and designing, children are given choice, using mixed media and discussion as a tool to develop ideas and solve real world problems. While creating, children are given choice and a range of tools to choose freely from. To evaluate, children use the FLUMPS tool when assessing the success of their products. Each of these steps include key technical knowledge and vocabulary applicable in real life situations. Each stage is given equal weight and children understand each step, relating it to appropriate and different scales of production. The skills progress across the key stages to ensure the children gain experience of different elements within the Design and Technology Curriculum.
Click here to find out about FLUMPS
Impact
Children will be confident as problem solvers and collaborative thinkers. They will be able to identify needs and opportunities within the world around them, responding to them with their own and collaborative solutions.
Our children will use the tools, experience and learning gained here to reflect and evaluate on both their own and peers' work.
Taking pride in our achievements
Winning the Innovative Category at the Lego League Competition - February 2023.
Well done to all ten Year 5 and Year 6 children who took part in the competition.
