Design Technology

At Pannal, Design Technology (which falls mainly under the ‘Expressive Arts and Design’ of the EYFS curriculum) starts in the Early Years with children exploring how to fix and join materials to achieve a desired effect, as well as regular cooking and baking sessions. The classroom is set up for the children to independently access and use DT in their play. The children take part in both planned and spontaneous activities. For example, they are explicitly taught scissor skills during the weekly ‘crafternoon’ session, they may choose to use junk modelling resources to make models, or they may experiment with different ways to build a train track during independent play.

Throughout Key Stage 1 children learn to develop, model and communicate their design ideas of purposeful, functional and appealing products for themselves and others, through talking, drawing, using templates and creating mock-ups where appropriate. Children will experience using a range of tools, equipment, materials, textiles and ingredients to make their design ideas. Pupils' will develop their ability to evaluate existing products, their own ideas and products against simple design criteria.

In Key Stage 2 pupils will build on the skills and knowledge previously developed to research and develop design criteria to inform their own designs aimed at particular individuals and groups. Ideas will be generated and developed through discussion, annotated sketches, diagrams, prototypes and other developmental strategies. Pupils will be exposed to a wider range of tools and materials for them to select from, depending on practical task, functional properties and desired aesthetic qualities of their product. Pupils will continue to evaluate existing products but use more detailed design criteria and consider the views of others to improve their work. Children will also develop an understanding of how key events and individuals in design and technology have helped shape the world in which they live.