Our Design Technology curriculum begins in the Early Years Foundation Stage where children are taught a range of design techniques in explicit taught sessions. Children are taught to practise, use and apply these skills independently and collaboratively throughout their learning environment.
From Key Stage One upwards, children follow a process of ‘Design, Make, Evaluate’ which grows more complex as they get older & helps to develop their technical knowledge.
In KS1 this looks like:
Design:
- Design is rooted in real life, relevant contexts to give meaning to the learning
- Planned through appropriate formats: drawing, templates, talking and mock-ups
Make:
- Children are given a range of tools for their projects to choose from
- Children use a wide range of materials and components, textiles, construction equipment and ingredients.
Evaluate:
- Evaluate existing products
- Evaluate their own products against design criteria.
In KS2 this looks like:
Design:
- Rooted in real life, relevant contexts to give meaning to the learning
- Researched designs based on functional, appealing products with purpose
- Planned by appropriate methods; annotated sketches, cross-sectional diagrams, prototypes, pattern pieces and computer-aided design
Make:
- Children can select from a wider range & selection of more advanced tools
- Children use and select a wider range of materials and components, textiles, construction equipment and ingredients
Evaluate:
- Evaluations are in comparison to existing products
- Children evaluate against a design criteria
- Children understand how key events and individuals have helped shape design and technology globally – products are in context to this concept
