Design and Technology at Stoke Park Infant School (DT)

"Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works."

Steve Jobs

Design and Technology is about how things work and are made. It makes a contribution to the well-being of our communities and our lives.

2014 National Curriculum document explains

‘Using creativity and imagination, pupils design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values.

Pupils learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens.

High-quality design and technology education makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of the nation.’

Read the KS1 National Curriculum for Design Technology here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/239041/PRIMARY_national_curriculum_-_Design_and_technology.pdf

INTENT

 At Stoke Park Infant School we believe that children are naturally curious when it comes to exploring the world around them.

We know that by exploring how things work and are made through first-hand investigation and problem solving scenarios the learning will be meaningful and memorable.

Therefore, we plan to give children the opportunity to develop skills, knowledge and understanding of designing and making products. We aim to nurture creativity and innovation through design and by expecting children to explore the designed world in which we live and work. 

Developing characteristics of effective learning is a key part of our whole school ethos and values, with our Ranger skills promoted throughout all year groups: Resilient Ant, Adaptable Spider, Naturally Curious Bear, Giggly Mouse, Enthusiastic Otter and Resourceful Beaver.  We intend to promote and develop these key learning behaviours through the teaching of Design Technology at Stoke Park Infant School, just as we do through other curriculum subjects.

We plan for development in the children's skills and knowledge in design, structures and mechanisms and use a range of materials including textiles and food.  We provide exciting activities linked to our curriculum topics that encourage creativity and the opportunity to think like a designer.

IMPLEMENTATION

In Year R, the second year of the Foundation Stage, a wide variety of DT skills are acquired through continuous and enhanced provision.  Children are encouraged to be creative and innovative using construction toys and develop joining skills and fine motor skills.  They are encouraged to use these skills to solve problems in their child-initiated learning.

The EYFS curriculum includes elements of DT in the areas of learning of Physical Development and Expressive Arts and Design. Read the Statutory Framework for EYFS curriculum here: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/974907/EYFS_framework_-_March_2021.pdf

Ranger challenges are planned for where skills can be taught then applied in meaningful, topic-linked contexts. By the end of the Foundation Stage children will be expected to:

safely use and explore a variety of materials, tools and techniques, experimenting with colour, design, texture, form and function; share their creations, explaining the process they have used; use a range of small tools including scissors.

In Year 1, following the KS1 National Curriculum for Design Technology, the children learn about becoming a designer and the process of design; through planning, making and evaluating. They refine their skills and learn new ones in order to solve problems.  DT projects are often linked to themes of learning and involve a problem to solve, giving meaningful purpose. 

Year 1 children evaluate and learn to make levers, sliders, pop-ups and flaps, a winding mechanism and then chop, grate and combine in food technology.

Again following the KS1 National Curriculum for DT, Year 2 children will develop the design process further. They will investigate products to plan a design, make their products and adapt where necessary and then evaluate each outcome. Focus will be given in Year 2 to designing and making a product for particular ‘customers’ so that the purpose of design is clear, then evaluating whether it was fit for purpose.

Year 2 children: explore how axles work then design, build and decorate a moving vehicle; build a strong structure; combine ingredients, chop, grate and spread to create healthy food.

IMPACT

In our school children will be encouraged to explore, to show their natural curiosity, and to use this to discover how things work and are made. They will build on this knowledge, and on taught practical skills, to solve problems according to criteria imposed by a ‘customer’. They will have opportunities to design (orally and through drawn and written plans), make and evaluate (and adapt and improve at times too).

Children will talk about eating healthily, hygiene and kitchen safety when working with food. They will use knives, peelers and graters safely to prepare food.

Stoke Park Infant children will enjoy working practically in Design Technology to become creative and resourceful citizens.

Skills are identified in our skills progression across the year groups R – 2. Subject-specific vocabulary is developed. The subject manager drops into DT lessons to see the skills and listen to the vocabulary being developed and to talk to the children about their designs, evaluations and enjoyment.

EW, December 2022

Design Technology Curriculum Intent, Coverage document and Progression of Skills