Design and Technology

At Brookmans Park we intend to provide pupils with high quality education in Design Technology (DT) that will provide learners with a real life context for learning. Our DT Curriculum follows the design, make and evaluate cycle. At each stage technical knowledge and vocabulary is shared.  The DT process at Brookmans Park is inspired by engineers, designers, chefs and architects that enable learners to create a range of their own structures, mechanisms, textiles, electrical systems and food products with a real life purpose.

We encourage our DT learners to: 

• Be confident in using a range of equipment and tools on a wide range of materials.
• To be able generate their own ideas to design purposeful, functional and appealing products based a design criteria.
• Apply technical knowledge and skills to create high-quality prototypes.
• Critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products and the work of others

DT is a crucial part of school life and learning and it is for this reason that as a school we are dedicated to the teaching and delivery of a high-quality DT curriculum which links to other areas of our curriculum each term. This is implemented through:

• A well thought out, whole school, yearly overview of the DT curriculum which allows for progression across year groups in all areas of DT (textiles, mechanisms, structures, food and electrical systems).
• Well planned and resourced projects providing children with a hands-on and enriching experience.
• A range of skills being taught, ensuring that children are aware of health and safety issues related to the tasks undertaken.
• Teachers being given ownership and flexibility to plan for DT; often teaching DT as a block of lessons to allow the time needed for the children to be critical, inventive and reflective on their work.
• Each project from Year 1 to Year 6 addressing the principles of designing, making, and evaluating and incorporating relevant technical knowledge and understanding in relevant contexts.
• Pupils being introduced to specific designers, chefs, nutritionists, etc. helping to engender an appreciation of human creativity and achievement and increase the cultural capital from which they can draw in the future.

• Children learn about where our food comes from by growing their own, and the importance of a balanced, healthy and varied diet and how to prepare this.

During the Early Years Foundation Stage pupils explore and use a variety of media and materials through a combination of child initiated and adult directed activities. They have the opportunities to learn to:

• Use different media and materials to express their own ideas
• Use what they have learnt about media and materials in original ways, thinking about form, function and purpose
• Make plans and construct with a purpose in mind using a variety of resources
• Develop skills to use simple tools and techniques appropriately, effectively and safely
• Select appropriate resources for a product and adapt their work where necessary
• Cook and prepare food adhering to good health and hygiene routines