Design and Technology at Lowton West |
Design Technology encourages pupils at Lowton West to develop a questioning approach to designing and making. Pupils develop their skills through different topics which use focused practical tasks to develop particular skills and knowledge, followed by a specific design task. Pupils are given the opportunity to use a variety of simple mechanisms, technology kits, and a wide selection of materials, tools and techniques. They are encouraged to develop their ideas through discussion, both with their peers and the class teacher and to modify their work as necessary. Children are encouraged to work both individually and in small groups. The skills developed in this practical subject have a lifelong application and allows for achievement at all levels. |
Design and Technology is a subject that encourages pupils to think creatively and solve practical problems. Through a process of research, planning, making and evaluating, pupils apply their learning to solving a meaningful real-world task. Practical skills such as creating structures and mechanisms, choosing and using appropriate tools and materials, adding electronic components to models, and safe and healthy cooking techniques, are all linked to class topics or situations the children experience every day. Design and Technology provides many opportunities for using skills learned in maths and literacy lessons, as pupils need to be able to communicate their ideas and plans effectively and be accurate when preparing materials and ingredients for their projects. Cooking and nutrition projects, working closely with Metro Fresh, teach pupils how to prepare a range of healthy foods, as well as learning where food comes from and when it grows.
Design and Technology at Key Stage 1 |
During Key Stage 1, pupils learn how to think imaginatively and talk about what they like and dislike when designing and making. They build on their early childhood experiences of investigating objects around them. They explore how familiar things work and talk about, draw and model their ideas. They learn how to design and make safely and can start to use ICT as part of their designing and making. Teaching ensures that 'knowledge and understanding' are applied when 'developing ideas', 'planning', 'making products' and 'evaluating' them. |
Design and Technology at Key Stage 2 |
During Key Stage 2, pupils work on their own and as part of a team on a range of designing and making activities. They think about what products are used for and the needs of the people who use them. They plan what has to be done and identify what works well and what could be improved in their own and other people's designs. They draw on knowledge and understanding from other areas of the curriculum and use computers in a range of ways. Teaching ensures that 'knowledge and understanding' are applied when 'developing ideas', 'planning', 'making products' and 'evaluating' them. |
Year Group |
Autumn |
Spring |
Summer |
Year One |
Construction: Wheels; design, make and evaluate, explore and develop technical knowledge
Cooking and Nutrition: Healthy Lifestyles |
Textiles: Umbrella; design, make and evaluate, explore and develop technical knowledge
Movement: Axels; design, make and evaluate, explore and use mechanisms and develop technical knowledge |
Construction: Shelters; design, make and evaluate, explore and develop technical knowledge; explore how structures can be made stronger, stiffer and more stable
|
Year Two |
Construction: Design, make and evaluate a medal box, space vehicles (junk modelling), Clay modelling – NASA medals
|
Construction / junk modelling – buildings and homes; technical knowledge, explore how structures can be made stronger, stiffer and more stable |
Textiles: Punch and Judy Puppets; design, make and evaluate, explore and develop technical knowledge
Cooking and Nutrition: The Seaside |
Year Three |
Textile: designing, making and evaluating Egyptian Collars |
Cooking and Nutrition: designing and making pizzas
Construction: Roman Villas; design, make and evaluate, explore and develop technical knowledge, explore how structures can be made stronger, stiffer and more stable |
|
Year Four |
Construction: Air Raid Shelters To design, make and evaluate; technical knowledge, explore how structures can be made stronger, stiffer and more stable |
Manmade and Natural Structures: technical knowledge, explore how structures can be made stronger, stiffer and more stable |
Cooking and Nutrition: Healthy food
Construction: Magic box; design, make and evaluate, explore and develop technical knowledge |
Year Five |
Construction: Hats Designing, Making and Evaluating; technical knowledge, explore how structures can be made stronger, stiffer and more stable |
Technical knowledge: Understanding levers; Moving pop-up book – storm poems |
Cooking and Nutrition – South American cooking |
Year Six |
Cooking and Nutrition: preparing, cooking and tasting traditional Greek food |
Construction and Textiles: Easter egg/ spring scene challenge – investigating how materials can be fitted and held together; technical knowledge, explore how structures can be made stronger, stiffer and more stable |
Construction: Making a moving vehicle, vessel or fairground ride; technical knowledge – mechanisms, wheels and axels, electrical circuits |







