D.T at Bushmead Primary School 

At Bushmead we teach design and technology using 4 main areas - Textiles, Cooking, Structures and mechanisms.  We present children with a task to create, plan and create something that has a purpose.  This develops their imaginative thinking. Children are all given opportunities to dismantle, investigate and evaluate.  Children are then given time to practice and learn new skills.  All D.T lessons incorporate planning, labelling and explaining a design before making the final product.  Finally, children will evaluate and have time to go back and make improvements.  Throughout this process children will be encouraged to select appropriate tools and techniques whilst following safe procedures.  They will foster enjoyment, satisfaction and purpose in designing and making.

Intent

Our intent is to ensure Design and technology helps to prepare children for the developing world. The subject encourages children to become creative problem-solvers, both as individuals and as part of a team. Through the study of design and technology they combine practical skills with an understanding of aesthetic, social and environmental issues. Design and Technology helps all children to become discriminating and informed consumers and potential innovators. It should assist children in developing a greater awareness and understanding of how everyday products are designed and made.

What children will be taught

As children move through our school they will be taught a progressive curriculum that builds on the knowledge from previous years. Children will learn about the following areas in each year group.

Early Years

The Design Technology curriculum is taught throughout the child’s time in EYFS through specific planned sessions as well as in-the- moment teaching. This learning occurs holistically through discussions with adults and peers as well as learning and exploring within their play by drawing on their experiences.  Children will select and use activities and resources, with help when needed.  They will develop their small motor skills so that they can use a range of tools competently, safely and confidently. Children will explore, use and refine a variety of artistic effects to express their ideas and feelings. They will return to, and build on their previous learning, refining ideas and developing their ability to represent them. Children will share their creations, explaining the process they have used.

Year 1

In cooking children will be taught to use the basic principles of a healthy and varied diet to prepare dishes.  They will be taught to understand where food comes from.  They will chop fruit and vegetables Using knives, peelers and graters whilst learning about safety.

In  Structures, pupils will be taught to build structures, exploring how they can be made stronger, stiffer and more stable.  They will choose junk modelling that creates a stable base. They will Fold card to create roof structure and Cut card to create doors and windows that open and shut.

In textiles, pupils will create a material leaf and by cutting material and will use running stitch to create patterns. 

Year 2

In textiles, pupils will be taught to select from and use a wide range of materials and  textiles.  They will Cut felt and learn how to use backstitch when sewing.

In Structures, Pupils will be taught to build structures, explore how they can be made stronger, stiffer and more stable. They will Choose junk modelling that helps with the task of a rocket- e.g cylinder shape.  They will cut, experiment and make triangular bases that stand up sturdily.

In Mechanisms, Pupils should be taught to explore and use mechanisms in their products.  They will make a secure structure of a chassis, make a moving axle, mark, measure and Saw Wood.  They will make an axle that turns.  

Year 3

In textiles, children will Select from and use a wider range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks [for example, cutting, shaping, joining and finishing], accurately.  They will Select from and use a wider range of materials and components, including different textiles. They will cut felt, sew to join using running stitch and sew to attach a handle.

In Cooking, children will  be taught to understand seasonality, and know where and how a variety of ingredients are grown, reared, caught and processed.  Pupils should be taught to understand and apply the principles of a healthy and varied diet.  They will make dough, knead and prepare toppings for a varied diet.  They will learn about the importance of hygiene.

In mechanisms, children will understand and use mechanical systems in their products for example, gears, pulleys, cams, levers and linkages.  They will Cut Card and paper, use tape and staples as well as measure.  They will make a variety of moving sliders, flaps, springs, and rotators.

Year 4

In Textiles, children will Select from and use a wider range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks [for example, cutting, shaping, joining and finishing], accurately. They will Cut felt, Sew to attach items such as beads, or more fabric using running stitch, sew for decorative marks, and use glue to make attachments.

In cooking children will prepare and cook a variety of predominantly savoury dishes using a range of cooking techniques.  Pupils will be taught to understand seasonality, and know where and how a variety of ingredients are grown, reared, caught and processed.  They should be taught to understand and apply the principles of a healthy and varied diet.  They will roll pastry to create an open tart/quiche.  Children will make a filling with pre-cooked meats and vegetables, using chopping skills.  They will learn about the importance of safety and hygiene.

In mechanisms, Year 4 will apply their understanding of how to strengthen, stiffen and reinforce more complex structures.  They will understand and use mechanical systems in their products [for example, gears, pulleys, cams, levers and linkages]

create, experiment and make  a sturdy stable structure (Triangular).  They will Choose materials that will suit carrying water and create a structure that will enable lifting- like, leverage.  

Year 5 

In textiles children will 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 group. They will use annotated sketches.  Children will select from and use a wider range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks [for example, cutting, shaping, joining and finishing], accurately. They will cut material, sew to create a seal and sew to attach props that have an open and close feature, e.g. button.  They will also sew for decorative purposes.  

In Cooking, children will be taught to understand seasonality, and know where and how a variety of ingredients are grown, reared, caught and processed.  They will Chop vegetables for the filling as well as pre cooked meats.  They will cook rice and roll seaweed sheets.  Children will be taught about the importance of hygiene.

In Mechanisms, children will 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]

make a secure Structure out of wood or cardboard.  They will measure mark and cut or saw. They will use cams and levers to make things turn.

Year 6 

In textiles, children will 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 group. They will use annotated sketches. Children will select from and use a wider range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks [for example, cutting, shaping, joining and finishing], accurately. They will cut material with accuracy to create puppet shapes, stuff the puppet using filler and stitch around the edge.  They will choose from a range of stitches to include, running, back, cross and blanket stitch.  They will attach decorative items on to a puppet.

In cooking, Pupils should be taught to understand seasonality, and know where and how a variety of ingredients are grown, reared, caught and processed.  The children will Chop Vegetables, peel vegetables, cook a filling, roll pastry, design pastry shapes and decorative pieces for the lid.  They will learn about the neccesity for hygiene.

In Mechanisms and Structures, children will apply their understanding of how to strengthen, stiffen and reinforce more complex structures.  They will understand and use mechanical systems in their products [for example, gears, pulleys, cams, levers and linkages].  Children will understand and use electrical systems in their products [for example, series circuits incorporating switches, bulbs, buzzers and motors]. Children will saw, mark, measure and glue wood. They will make a secure structure for a chassis, and a moving axle that turns.  Children will create electrical circuits to make a motor work.  Children will use a pulley to create a moving part through use of a motor.

School Policy 

Planning and Progression

We have a clear plan for how the subject Design Technology is taught across the school, to ensure that knowledge is built upon incrementally, term on term and year on year. Below you will find our whole school Long term plan along with a progression map showing how children's knowledge, skills and vocabulary are built up.