The Implementation of our Design & Technology Curriculum

In EYFS, children explore the world and develop their understanding of how different aspects of the world work. They select and use appropriate tools and resources to accomplish tasks and complete goals and work collaboratively to achieve more. We encourage the development of skills, knowledge and understanding that help reception children make sense of their world as an integral part of their school experience. We relate this development to the objectives set out in the Early Learning Goals. This learning forms the foundations for later work in design and technology.

These early experiences include asking questions about how things work, investigating and using a variety of construction kits, materials, tools and products, developing making skills and handling appropriate tools and construction materials safely and with increasing control. Work is often linked to the children’s interests and provides an enabling environment offering a range of experiences that encourage exploration, observation, problem solving, critical thinking and discussion.

Design and technology in KS1 and KS2 link to our topic based curriculum, providing real world opportunities. It may be taught weekly or in a block series of lessons depending on the teacher’s choice. Research and evaluation into the product being created is often the starting point to enable children to experience finished products linked to their project. Designs are made with the end goal in mind, using findings from their research. Focused practical tasks are used when needed to develop and practise particular skills and acquire knowledge before moving onto a larger project piece. Children are then supported with the evaluation of their model, relating it back to their original design. Opportunities are given, where appropriate, for individual work and collaborative projects.

During Key Stage 1, pupils learn how to think imaginatively and talk about what they like and dislike when designing and making. They build on their early childhood experiences of investigating objects around them. They explore how familiar things work and talk about, draw and model their ideas. They learn how to design and make safely and start to use ICT as part of their designing and making.
During Key Stage 2 pupils will work on their own and as part of a team on a range of designing and making activities. They think about what products are used for and the needs of the people who use them. They plan strategically what must be done and identify what works well and what could be improved in their own and other people’s designs. They draw on knowledge and understanding from other areas of the curriculum and use computers in a range of ways. Their products are of a high standard and fit for purpose and where appropriate, they are linked to other subjects throughout the curriculum.