Design Technology teaches valuable lessons about how to design and make a variety of products gaining knowledge on how these would need to be adapted for manufacture.
We aim to ensure Design and Technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject that encourages children to learn to think creatively. Students are encouraged to use their imagination to design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts. Throughout the subject there is an emphasis on researching and understanding user needs and wants to create a final solution both individually and through teamwork.
We also aim to make links to existing designs and designers throughout history, providing opportunities for children to critically reflect upon and evaluate their designs. The tasks regularly link to other disciplines such as Mathematics, Science, Engineering, Computing and Art.
Throughout a variety of creative and practical activities pupils will be taught the key knowledge and skills to engage in an iterative design process. They are regularly encouraged to self evaluate and seek opinions from others to allow modifications and developments of designs to be produced. The 4 keys strands are:
- Design – Research and explore to identify user and product needs through the production of specifications and to Solve design problems.
- Make – Select and use specialist tools, techniques, processes, equipment and machinery precisely, including computer aided manufacture.
- Evaluate – Analyses the work of past and present professionals and designers, Understanding how Design and Technology impacts individuals, society, and the environment. Test, evaluate and refine ideas against a specification, taking into account other opinions leading to modifications and improvements.
- Technical Knowledge – Understand properties of a range of materials and their performance, including how mechanical & electrical systems can be powered and enable changes in movement or force.
For any further information, please contact the Head of Department, Mr Corker, at tcorker@fxs.org.uk.