Design Technology

In Design and Technology (DT) children are taught to develop their capability through designing and making a range of products and systems for specific purposes. Pupils solve problems creatively as individuals and members of a team. In doing so, they reflect on and evaluate present and past design and technology, its uses and effects.

Our school aims to:

·       inspire pupils to become curious, creative and innovative thinkers with a broad understanding of how products are designed and made, encouraging pupils to think like designers and engineers

·       support pupils to identify problems, generate ideas, plan and create products that are fit for purpose

·       encourage pupils to evaluate their outcomes against the design criteria

·       raise pupils’ awareness of how design and technology shape the way they live, work and interact with the world

·       encourage pupils to become resourceful, enterprising individuals who have the skills to contribute to and improve the world around them.

The Design Cycle

At St James’ Lanehead, we follow a 5-part process within the design cycle. These stages will be completed within Design and Technology projects:

1)     Evaluating existing products – Pupils will look at examples of existing products related to their unit of work. They will discuss the features that make the product functional, discuss key vocabulary and practise the skills needed to be able to complete the project successfully.

2)    Focus on the task – Pupils will discuss the 6 principles of design, and create design criteria from their previous evaluations and investigations.

3)    Designing a product – Pupils will explore a range of design methods, communicating their ideas through discussion, annotated sketches, cross-sectional and exploded diagrams, pattern pieces, prototypes or computer-aided design. 

4)    Making a product – Pupils will use the knowledge and skills previously explored to be able to create their own products. Pupils will be given the opportunity to make amendments to their designs, innovating their ideas throughout the making process.

5)    Evaluating the product – Pupils will evaluate their ideas and the products made against the design criteria.

The Design and Technology Curriculum

Pupils will be taught the following key areas within each Key Stage: 

·       Structures – understanding how to reinforce, stabilise and assemble objects, from simple junk modelling to complex frameworks like bridges.

·       Mechanisms and mechanical systems – exploring movement through simple mechanisms, such as sliders, levers, cams, gears and pulleys.

·       Textiles – developing joining, stitching and decorative skills to create purposeful fabric-based products.

·       Cooking and nutrition – understanding where food comes from and developing the skills to prepare, cook and evaluate healthy dishes

·       Electrical systems (KS2 only) – designing and making products that use electrical circuits, switches, motors and sensors.

·       Digital world (KS2 only) – applying computing knowledge to control and monitor products, and using CAD tools to design for specific needs.