Design and Technology
Design and Technology Curriculum
Design and Technology Lead: Miss T Knowles
At Holden Clough we encourage our children to be reflective and persistent learners, Design Technology helps us to develop these attributes as we work through the design process. The Design and Technology curriculum, based around The Dimensions Curriculum, is taught through thematic units that encourage our children to work collaboratively to solve problems and find solutions, teach them to deal with uncertainty whilst developing communication, organisational and other practical life skills. In our design technology sessions, we learn to appreciate the needs of others, the built environment around us and the likely impact of future technologies.
What the National Curriculum requires in design and technology at KS1 and KS1
Key Stage 1
When designing and making, pupils should be taught to:
Design
- Design purposeful, functional appealing products for themeselves and others based on design criteria
- Generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through talking, drawing, templates, mock ups and where appropriate, information and communication technology
Make
- Select from and use a range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks [for example, cutting, shaping, joining and finishing]
- Select from an use a wide range of materials and components, including construction materials, textiles and ingredients, according to their characteristics
Evaluate
- Explore and evaluate a range of existing products
- Evaluate their ideas and products against design criteria
Technical knowledge
- Build structures, exploring how they can be made stronger, stiffer and more stable
- Explore and use mechanisms [for example, levers, sliders, wheels and axles] in their products
Cooking and nutrition
- Use the basic principles of a healthy and varied diet to prepare dishes
- Understand where food comes from
Key Stage 2
When designing and making, pupils should be taught to:
Design
- 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 groups
- Generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through discussion, annotated sketches, cross-sectional and exploded diagrams, prototypes, pattern pieces and computer-aided design
Make
- Select from and use a range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks [for example, cutting, shaping, joining and finishing] accurately
- Select from and use a wide range of materials and components, including construction materials, textiles and ingredients, according to their functional properties and aesthetic qualities
Evaluate
- Investigate and analyse a range of existing products
- Evaluate their ideas and products against their own design criteria and consider the views of others to help improve their work
- Understand how key events and individuals in design and technology have helped shape the world
Technical knowledge
- 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]
- Understand and use electrical systems in their products [for example, series circuits incorporating switches, bulbs, buzzers and motors]
- Apply their understanding of computing to program, monitor and control their products
Cooking and nutrition
- Understand and apply the principles of a healthy and varied diet
- Prepare and cook a variety of predominately savoury dishes using a range of cooking techniques
- Understand seasonality, and know where and how a variety of ingredients are grown, reared, caught and processed
Dimentions Curriculum
The Dimensions Curriculum schemes of work are topic based and used from Year 1 - 6 taught through a combination of subject knowledge, skill building and design and make projects. Food technology is also taught through thematic units and our 3D PSHE programme.
An overview of topics for our Dimensions Curriculum and Art and Design coverage, skills ladders and knowledge builders are outlined below.
To find out more about the curriculum your school is following please contact the school office mail@holdenclough.tameside.sch.uk