NORTHERN Design and Technology Statement of Intent 

Here at Northern it is our intent for the Design and Technology element of our school curriculum to engage, inspire and challenge pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own design projects. As our pupils progress, we intend for our pupils to be able to think critically and develop a more rigorous understanding of design and technology. We want them to know how design and technology both reflect and shape our history, and contribute to the culture, creativity and wealth of our nation. Wherever possible we try and link to other subject areas to practise the skills taught. We ensure children’s work is displayed in a cross curricular way.  

Aims 

The national curriculum for design and technology aims to ensure that all pupils: 

• design by planning a sequence of work and making plans which include consideration of the tools and materials required for the task and the purpose of the product.

• make their design and technology product, making appropriate changes, selecting tools and equipment and applying specific skills from prior knowledge.

•  evaluate the end product, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of the design, including what they would change next time.

In EYFS, children are encouraged to explore how to build and join materials through the use of construction toys, junk modelling and specific topic design and make projects. The emphasis is on exploration and investigation.

In Key Stage 1, children are given the opportunity to design and make products using food, textiles, structures and mechanisms.

In Key Stage 2, children are given the opportunity to design and make products using food, textiles, structures and mechanical, electrical systems and ICT.