Netherthong

Design and Technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. Through our Design and Technology projects we encourage the children from Foundation Years through to year 6 to learn to think and be innovative creatively solving problems both as individuals and as members of a team. We have a progressive curriculum through the year groups revisiting and enhancing skills and knowledge.  

At Netherthong School, we encourage children to use their creativity and imagination, to design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering the principles of DT for the project. 

Something 

for Someone  

with Some purpose  

We use knowledge of local companies to inspire the children. 

 We aim to, wherever possible, link work to other disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art. It is the process that is important building on the previous skills and knowledge learnt and applying them to the next project. 

This helps the children know more and remember more as they progress through the year groups. 

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

Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, they will develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world. 

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

• Enhancement - We plan to be involved in local STEM projects and competitions. For example; ‘Primary Engineer Leaders Award’ and ‘National UK design competition’ This involves a visit from a local engineer. We recognise that to have impact the planned enhancements must be clearly linked to the Design Technology skills and knowledge and provide the opportunity for children to be as innovative as their creativity, skills and knowledge allows applying what they already know. 

At Netherthong primary School Design and Technology is taught through creative meaningful lessons some cross curricular. Wherever possible we invite into school actual engineers or be given first hand experiences to inspire the learning. Children are then guided through the three phases of designing, making and evaluating their own products.  As a school use ‘Projects on a Page’ scheme of work which cleverly allows for creativity and flexibility and ensures progression from Reception into Y1 to Y6 building on previous knowledge. 

We have joined the D&T association which provides support and resources for all staff.  

We have used the ‘Primary Engineers’ charity to train staff over the year and complete their projects with the children. They also have national competitions for school aged children. 

‘If you were an engineer, what would you do?’ 

Following our curriculum developed from POAP the children have three projects a year of DT which is progressive and they learn new skills, knowledge and vocabulary though-out the years of: 

Food Technology is taught every year with a progression in preparation skills, vocabulary and knowledge of food groups and seasonal and cultural foods. 

Mechanical movements are covered starting with sliders, pivots and leavers in Y1 and progressing to cams and gears in Y 5. 

Electricity is covered starting with a simple one-way connection in Y 4 - developing to a two way and some movement in the projects with gears and motors in Year 6 

Textiles are covered starting with a simple running stitch in Reception class to completing a puppet in Year 2 and making more complex sewing stitches in Y3 and in Y 5 more complex 3D structures are the broad headings the projects involved in the scheme. 

Stable structures are covered in Y1 looking and strong 3D shapes to design a piece of playground equipment to year 3making a fancy lunch box and finally into Y6 where they make stable bridge designs.  

During these sessions, many cross-curricular links are drawn upon. Links are easy to come across during any lesson; children are continuously measuring during the ‘design’ and ‘make’ phases of lessons. During cooking topics, children are measuring out ingredients, as well as calculating the quantities of different recipes. Food technology is implemented across the school each year with children developing an understanding of where food comes from (Geography), the importance of a varied and healthy diet (Science) and how to prepare this. 

Instructions are often created as part of the ‘design’ phase, which has a direct link to English. Through the children presenting their products confidently speaking skills are practiced. Science knowledge is practiced when children are creating products that contain electrical components, for example in Year 4 and 6. Teachers also encourage children to consider the impact their product can have on the wider world, to ensure they realise the difference they could may make in the future. 

Children in the foundation stage have similar opportunities building the foundations of design technology by sew a running stitch, building stable structures with the available construction kits. They have opportunities to prepare and try new food groups and have a basic understanding of some healthy and unhealthy foods. 

DT is an inclusive curriculum area and staff make sure projects are adapted to help all children succeed. Adaptions such as pre- cut out templates, hooped scissors, grouping children in supportive teams, all allows the children to have a positive experience whatever the outcome. 

Staff are continuously being trained and updated as new technology comes available.  

The staff are then confident to assess they children at the end of each project on the year groups criteria from the National Curriculum. Each lesson and project builds on the previous and children’s knowledge is improved throughout each new project. Through monitoring it will be clear to see the progression of skills, knowledge and quality of products throughout each school year group. 

The curriculum gives the children a confidence in revisiting the skills and knowledge learnt over the years at Netherthong Primary school. 

With first hand experiences the children retain the knowledge through the excitement and emotions completing their project. They will remember the successes and failures and take this into the next year. This we have found out though talking to the children after completion of their projects because of their invested emotions they remember the projects well and have visions for future success. 

 
As creative designers we hope the children will develop the skills and attributes they can use beyond school and into their adulthood. 

Click HERE for DT Curriculum Map

Click HERE for DT Progression Map

Click HERE for Vocabulary Map