Design Technology

Mrs Pilson is the subject lead for Design Technology

Design technology prepares pupils to participate in rapidly changing technologies. The subject calls for pupils to become problem solvers. They must look for needs, wants and opportunities and respond to them by developing a range of ideas and making products and systems. They combine practical skills with an understanding of aesthetics. As they do so, they reflect on and evaluate present and past design and technology, its uses and effects.

The National Curriculum (2014) states that there are four main skills that children should be taught to develop in Design Technology: Designing, Making, Evaluating and Technical Knowledge.

These are the units we teach at Northmead.

Year Group	Autumn	Spring	Summer
3	Pneumatics Moving monsters To understand how pneumatic systems create movement Apply a range of finishing techniques, including those from art and design, with some accuracy		Joining materials Shadow puppets Assemble, join and combine materials and components with some accuracy Explain their choice of materials and components according to functional properties and aesthetic qualities
4	Circuits Torches Recognise how simple electrical circuits and components can be used to create functional products		Levers and linkages Moving books How mechanical systems such as levers and linkages create movement
5	Motorised vehicles Space Buggies Accurately measure, mark out, cut and shape materials and components- use of hacksaw, bench hook. How mechanical systems such as pulleys or gears create movement		Control technology Crumble How to program a computer to control products
6		Cams Moving toys Accurately assemble, join and combine materials and components- use of hacksaw, bench hook, hand drill. How mechanical systems such as cams create movement.	Circuits Alarms How more complex electrical circuits and components can be used to create functional products