DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY
DT at Leasowes
Design and Technology at Leasowes provides the children with the opportunity to develop and use a range of skills that will prepare them for a constantly changing society, increasingly dependent on technology. Children use their creativity, imagination and social interaction skills to solve real and relevant problems to plan, design, make and evaluate their own products. A wide range of new skills are used, whilst drawing on and applying knowledge of other subjects, such as Mathematics, science, engineering, ICT and art. As part of each unit, pupils learn about the impact of technology on our daily life through the study of design and technology, including designers, both past and present. In addition to this, pupils learn about in their DT lessons, they are also introduced to a significant inventor/engineer/designer through a termly assembly. Children also develop the life skills and knowledge associated with healthy living, food nutrition and cookery. In Cooking and Nutrition pupils learn a crucial life skill to use in later life. Within these units, pupils also learn about how to store and prepare foods safely.
Design and Technology in the Early Years
DT in EYFS is not a separate subject. It happens through play and creative activities. Children design, build, and make things using different materials and tools.
What Does It Look Like?
Making Models
Using blocks, Lego, recycled boxes, etc., to build houses, cars, or towers.
Using Tools
Cutting, gluing, taping, and joining things using safe tools like scissors, hole punchers, and glue sticks.
Drawing and Planning
Children may draw what they want to make or talk about their ideas.
Testing Ideas
Making things like boats or bridges and seeing if they float or hold weight.
Simple Cooking
Making simple snacks helps them learn about food and following steps.
What Skills Are They Learning?
- Fine motor skills (cutting, sticking)
- Thinking and solving problems
- Being creative
- Talking about their work
Links to the EYFS Areas:
- Expressive Arts and Design – Using materials and tools creatively.
- Understanding the World – Learning how things work.
- Physical Development – Using small tools and building hand strength.
Years 1 – 6
Our ambitious curriculum is based upon the National Curriculum but carefully adapted to suit our needs. Each year group covers 3 units over the year and these may be taught in blocks, or over a period of a half term.
DT units are carefully planned to include 3 core elements:
- Investigating and evaluating existing products (including the work of innovators and inventors)
- Focused practical tasks – children develop particular aspects of knowledge and skills
- Designing and making (3Ss Something for Somebody for Some purpose)/ Product, Intended User, Function in upper KS2)
Each unit covers one of the following aspects of Design and Technology:
Our pupils develop knowledge, understanding and skills to enable them to tackle real problems and use a wide range of tools safely. They explore the man-made world and discuss how we live and work within it. They work individually and with to create products of a high standard, whilst demonstrating creativity and innovation. All pupils have opportunities to explore and evaluate existing products and design and make their own products. Pupils are encouraged to reflect on their designs as part of the iterative process and make changes to their designs, showing resilience and the ability to overcome problems. They learn the principles of nutrition, healthy eating and how to cook. Many of the jobs our youngest children will go on to do, as adults, do not yet exist. For this reason, we are committed to inspiring our pupils in the world of technology. Along with the inventors and designer that pupils learn about in lessons, pupils are also introduced to significant individuals in the world of design in termly assemblies. Our curriculum will help to equip pupils with the necessary skills to prepare them for an ever-changing world.