Design and Technology is an inspiring cross-curricular subject with lots of rigorous and practical elements. It promotes imagination, creativity and problem solving within a variety of contexts.

Pupils acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on various disciplines such as mathematics, science, computing and art. This subject is in taught in three different parts: designing, making and evaluating.

Designing

Pupils are provided with a wide variety of products to create, from perfume bottles, moving cars to smoothies, cakes and healthy snacks. When designing, they’re encouraged to study products with a close eye and to create with purpose; thinking about its function and appeal.

Whether it’s for themselves or others, based on criteria given to them, they are encouraged to: generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas in a way that suits the individual best. This can be delivered through speech, illustrations, mock-ups, or the use of ICT.

Making

During the making process, pupils develop their confidence because we enable them to select from and use a range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks. These tools can be for shaping, joining, or cutting. They’re also able to select from and use a wide range of materials and components, according to the characteristics of their product. This includes construction materials, various textiles and ingredients.

Evaluating

Through observation conversation and feedback, pupils learn to evaluate their ideas and products against the design criteria. They’ll have the chance to: observe what they have created, accept praise and receive further steps to improvement.

Pupils will also use technical knowledge to build structures, explore how they can be made stronger and more stable. They are also encouraged to explore and use mechanisms like levers, sliders axles and wheels in their products, to help with improvements.

Always Adapting

Gilbrook’s Design and Technology education always adapting to ensure that we cater to each pupil’s individual needs, encouraging them at each phase along the way. This, in turn, makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of the nation.

As part of Design and Technology, pupils have a lot of tools, materials and components at their disposal, ranging from woodwork, sewing and acrylic to baking. They are given the opportunity to take ownership of their work and produce their products independently. Pupils have created many practical projects and made some fantastic work which is being used within the school today. Examples of this are animal pens, feeding units, insect hotels, tree protectors, bird feeders and bathing systems in the school farm and garden areas.

Aims 

The National Curriculum for design and technology aims to ensure that all pupils:

• Develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world
• Build and apply a repertoire of knowledge, understanding and skills to design and make high-quality prototypes and products for a wide range of users
• Critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products and the work of others
• Understand and apply the principles of nutrition and learn how to cook.

Attainment targets 

By the end of each Key Stage, pupils are expected to know, apply and understand the matters, skills and processes specified in the relevant programme of study.

CurRent Design and Technology KPI’s for this year are:

• I can select from and use a range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks e.g. cutting, shaping, joining and finishing.
• I can design useful and pleasing products for myself and other users based on a design brief.
• I can safely measure, mark out, cut, assemble and join with some accuracy.
• I can apply techniques that I have learnt to strengthen structures and explore my own ideas.
• I can make a prototype to show my ideas.

I can use my knowledge of designs to further explain the effectiveness of existing products and products I have made

 

Topic	ILP/KPI Focus	Core skills – KPIs	SEAL and life skills	Intent	Implementation	Impact
Term 1.1 A child’s war     D&T	D&T: Submarine design	Understand how key events and individuals in design and technology have helped shape the world.	To follow safety instructions. To plan and construct a submarine using paper Mache.	To promote independent thinking and tune fine motor skills.	Practical lessons with modelling and examples and visuals.	Pupils will develop thoughts into practical models.
Term 1.2 Blue Abyss       D&T	D&T: Submarine design	Understand how key events and individuals in design and technology have helped shape the world.	To follow safety instructions. To plan and construct a submarine using paper Mache.	To promote independent thinking and tune fine motor skills.	Practical lessons with modelling and examples and visuals.	Pupils will develop thoughts into practical models.
Term 2.1 Mighty Metals D&T	Using research to inform design – magnet travel game.	Evaluate their ideas and products against their own design criteria’s and consider the views of others to improve their work.	To develop social skills.	To create a game involving magnets.	To follow rules and work as part of a team.	To be able to develop friendships and conform to social expectations.
Art and Design	Embossed patterns Making jewellery	Improve their mastery of Art and Design techniques, including drawing, painting and sculpture with a range of materials.	To work as part of a team and encourage others.	Take part in an array of activities to encourage progression in mastery skills.	Pupils to create a piece of work to present as part of a gallery.	Pupils will have produced a piece of work to present in the gallery that they are proud of.
Term 2.2 Pharaohs     D&T	Model tombs and pyramids (working with others)	Select from and use a wider range of tools and equipment, to perform practical tasks accurately.	Building and maintaining relationships.	To have an awareness of the task and appropriate tools needed to complete the task.	To work co-operatively with pupils and staff to create an authentic tomb/pyramid.	Models will be displayed in a central area for others to enjoy.
Art and Design	Draw artefacts	Improve their mastery of art and design techniques, including drawing, painting and sculpture.	Reflect on spiritual, moral, social and cultural issues	To complete a project with an ongoing positive approach.	Visit Liverpool museum to sketch Egyptian artefacts.	To draw an artefact using a range of different materials.
Term 3.1 Burps Bottoms and Bile   D&T	Understand and apply the principles of a healthy and varied diet.	Make healthy eating choices and explain why this is important. Make a model of the mouth and teeth.	Care of your body in particular oral and digestive hygiene and health.	To be aware of opportunities for healthy eating. Label sketches diagrams and models of teeth and the human body.	To interview the school cook. Visiting school nurse.	To write a quiz about health and hygiene. Promotion of health and mental wellbeing through practical and written tasks.
Term 3.2 Hola Mexico       D&T	D&T: Submarine design	Understand how key events and individuals in design and technology have helped shape the world.	To follow safety instructions. To plan and construct a submarine using paper Mache.	To promote independent thinking and tune fine motor skills.	Practical lessons with modelling and examples and visuals.	Pupils will develop thoughts into practical models.
Art and Design	Mayan art	Find out about great artists, architects and designers in history.	Reflect on spiritual, moral, social and cultural issues	To complete a project with an ongoing positive approach.	Visit Liverpool museum to sketch Egyptian artefacts.	To draw an artefact using a range of different materials.