Design and Technology


At Otley All Saints Primary School we see design and technology is an inspiring and practical subject, which includes food technology and nutrition. We encourage children to use creativity and imagination to design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. They then evaluate the success of their end products. Through their work they acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and are able to apply skills learnt in subjects such as maths, science, computing and art.
In Key Stage 1 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.
In Key Stage 2 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.