At Eastling we encourage creativity and imagination within our pupils to allow them to invent and create products in a variety of contexts. We follow the Kapow Scheme of work for Design Technology. Units of work cover all National Curriculum content with a broad and well-balanced approach. The core knowledge has been carefully chosen to ensure a varied and thorough coverage of the end of key stage requirements. Units can sometimes link to the class topic, this helps to make connections across the curriculum and gives opportunity to explore the creative side of a topic.

Early Years

During the EYFS the essential building blocks of children’s design and technology are established. There are many opportunities for carrying out design and technology related activities in all areas of learning.

In Early Years- pupils are taught to:

• construct with a purpose in mind, using a variety of resources
• use simple tools and techniques competently and appropriately
• build and construct with a wide range of objects, selecting appropriate resources and adapting their work when necessary
• select the tools and techniques they need to shape, assemble and join materials they are using.

KS1

In Key Stage One- when designing and making, pupils are taught to:

Design

• design purposeful, functional, appealing products for themselves and other users 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 and 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

KS2

In Key Stage Two- when designing and making, pupils are 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 wider range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks [for example, cutting, shaping, joining and finishing], accurately
• select from and use a wider 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 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

At our school we aim to instil a love of cooking in pupils. We believe that learning how to cook is not only a crucial life skill but also a great expression of human creativity. As part of their work with food, children are taught how to cook and learn the principles of nutrition and healthy eating.

KS1

Pupils use the basic principle of a healthy and varied diet to prepare dishes.

Pupils understand where food comes from.

KS2

Pupils understand and apply the principles of a healthy and varied diet.

Pupils prepare and cook a variety of predominantly savoury dishes using a range of cooking techniques.

Pupils understand seasonality, and know where and how a variety of ingredients are grown, reared, caught and processed.

Outdoor Learning

At Eastling we take our ‘Design and Technology’ learning outside of the classroom, embracing the use of our natural environment and materials. Outdoor learning provides opportunities for children to learn transferrable skills such as communication, problem solving, initiative and risk taking. It is also used to develop leadership and teamwork skills when designing and creating a new product.