Intent
At Senacre Wood Primary School, we recognise that design technology provides pupils with a breadth of knowledge and problem solving skills that will support them in their future and we strive for all our pupils to be resilient and independent designers. Using the national curriculum for design and technology, we aim to ensure that all pupils:
- Apply their creativity and problem solving skills during lessons.
- Build on prior knowledge when designing, creating and evaluating their design and technology learning.
- Make links, and apply knowledge, between design and technology and other subjects, such as mathematics, science and art.
- Use vocabulary related to design and technology, in order to communicate, explain and ask questions.
- Feel confident to take risks, and make mistakes in their learning.
Our design and technology curriculum is designed to support our schools values: curiosity, independence, innovation, reflection, resilience, and collaboration. At Senacre Wood Primary School, the pupils enjoy their design and technology lessons, whilst building on a wide range of core skills and values. Across the school, the pupils complete design and technology lessons that are linked to enquiry units.
Oak class making play dough
Term 1
In Oak class, the children are exploring a wide range of construction, which will kick off their design and technology skills. As the term progresses, they will be encouraged to build with a purpose in mind, and evaluate their buildings.
Our youngest pupils got stuck in with making play dough too; they were taught the basics of cooking and nutrition, such as how to mix, combine and knead.
As Ash Class learn all about the Monarchy, they will be designing a platform to display a crown.
Term 2
As our reception cohort continues to grow in confidence and independence, their creativity skills continue to grow. The children have had fun making 'Christmas houses' and props for their play. After Harvest, Oak class learnt about how bread is made, from field to shelf. Their cooking and nutrition skills they gained last term, will be built on, when making a simple loaf of bread.
Rowan class are getting prepared for Christmas this term, and are making Christmas stockings in their art lessons. The pupils will be refining their design skills, as well as performing practical tasks including cutting and shaping. You can see our finished work on the art page.
TERM 3
The term started with STEM week, whereby lots of classes got stuck into some DT projects, including Oak class building bridges for the Gingerbread Man, and some cooking in Rowan class!
Year 3 and Year 6 are completing food and technology units this term, such as World War cookery, and rock cakes. Sycamore class built on their knowledge of food hygiene during this topic, and showcased an excellent understanding of the importance of hand washing (although they may have not had time for this in the 1940s!)
"We have to clear the bacteria away." - Archie
In line with their History enquiry on Victorians, Year 5 designed and made their own moving toys during STEM week. In class, pupils learnt about automata toys. This involved exploring different designs and looking at the mechanics in preparation for making their own.
"The cam makes mine go up and down, but others go around." - JJ
TErm 4
Beech class started the term with a structures unit. They were applying their cutting and joining skills whilst making castles, to link in with their history enquiry from last term. The children explored what materials would result in the strongest castle, which was considered in their evaluations.
In KS2, Maple class are also building on their structures knowledge, and are creating some Greek Architecture. The learning intention is to build frame structures, that are designed to support weight. In Year 6, Sycamore class are carrying out an investigation! They will be applying their Science knowledge to making, and testing out burglar alarms.