Technology, worldwide, is constantly changing. This makes the subject exciting and challenging to teach. We try and equip the pupils with a range of strategies. These will help them find workable solutions to problems. The artefacts they make need to be functional and aesthetically pleasing at the same time! Pupils will develop their DT capabilities through a series of projects, in which they will design and make products using a range of materials and components. They should do this with increasing independence as they progress from KS2 to KS3.
Pupils will develop skills through direct and independent practical tasks, which include investigation and evaluation of simple and familiar products. They will complete projects which are appropriate to their age, ability and experience. Design ideas will be explored in different ways e.g. 3D models / drawings / discussions etc.
These projects will make sure pupils will be able to:
- Apply their design and making skills
- Apply knowledge and understanding gained in taught sections of the syllabus
- Work in a safe manner, caring for the workplace and other children in it
The projects will be either subject specific or cross curricular (STEM), dependent on their content. As a department we will also endeavour to include industrial links within projects and have recently worked with a range of local design companies.
- The syllabus hopes to provide:
- A range of experiences in using materials
- A knowledge of materials and processes
- Identify problems in a given context, pose a solution after investigation and generate a series of ideas/solutions for it
- Ensure projects are relatable to the ‘real world’ of design and Engineering
- An awareness of how Design and technology links in with the other STEM subjects (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths)
- Allow children to communicate their ideas through the spoken word, written word and design
- Acquire a method for research and development of ideas
- Develop evaluation skills for their own work and others in the team/class
- Use different methods of working
- Establish some ideas of technology as the centre of human endeavour, in posing solutions to real life situations
- Show we live in a multicultural environment
- Work in a safe, stimulating and appealing environment
- Equal access to materials and tools
Ofsted National curriculum quote
“Design and technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. Using creativity and imagination, pupils design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values.
They acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art.
Pupils learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens. Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, they develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world.
High quality design and technology education makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and wellbeing of the nation.”
Graphic/Product
| Year | Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 | Spring 1 | Spring 2 | Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
| 5 | Logo | Logo | Logo | Key Ring | Key Ring | Key Ring |
| 6 | Clock | Clock | Clock | Pop up | Pop up | Pop up |
| 7 | Structures | Structures | Structures | Packaging | Packaging | Packaging |
| 8 | Car | Car | Car | Architecture | Architecture | Architecture |
Food/Textiles
| Year | Autumn 1 | Autumn 2 | Spring 1 | Spring 2 | Summer 1 | Summer 2 |
| 5 | Sock Pig | Sock Pig | Sock Pig | Intro to cooking | Intro to cooking | Intro to cooking |
| 6 | Tie dye | Tie dye | Tie dye | Wonderful baked goods | Wonderful baked goods | Wonderful baked goods |
| 7 | Little Monsters | Little Monsters | Little Monsters | Sweet and savoury | Sweet and savoury | Sweet and savoury |
| 8 | E- Textiles | E- Textiles | E- Textiles | International Cuisine | International Cuisine | International Cuisine |
Students have textiles lessons in every year at Christ Church Academy. The subject is very practical based with students lear nin g a variety of technical skills through design and make activities. Students will cover lots of hand sewing techniques as well as basic sewi ng machine skills.
Year 5
During Year 5 students make a ‘sock pig’ as an introduction to textiles and hand sewing. They will cover basic skills such as th reading and knotting a needle, sewing a running stitch and buttons. This is a project that is very popular with students who love to crea te their own pig characters.
Year 6
The focus of year 6 is on dying and printing with students producing a tie dye t shirt. Students will be introduced to tie dye and sponge printing techniques and are then able to get creative with their outcomes as they try and create a striking summer outfit.
Year 7
Year 7 sees the return of hand stitching with the focus on developing more complex stitching techniques and focussing on surface decoration with the production of a “little monster” soft toy. Students will reinforce the stitching methods from year 5 and also learn cross stitch, over stitch, back stitch and blanket stitch techniques with a link to the film “Ugly Dolls”
Year 8
Year 8 complete a light project. In this project they will learn basic sewing machine skills and then take a driving test to prove their accuracy! As well as learning how to thread and use the sewing machine students will also be taught how to create a basic circuit using e textile components to place into their light. This project has an emphasis on learning about some more modern textiles.
During their time at Christ Church Academy, students learn to make a variety of savoury and sweet dishes. They develop essential knife skills which enable them to prepare fruit, vegetables and meat safely and hygienically. Students also learn how to operate the hob, grill and oven safely and effectively to produce good quality dishes. Students are encouraged to adapt existing recipes which enable them to create new and imaginative products while considering nutrition, sustainability, cost and dietary needs.
Year 5
During Year 5 students learn basic skills which will help them throughout KS2 and KS3.
- Hygiene and safety
- Storing food correctly
- Washing up procedure
- Knife Skills (claw grip and bridge hold)
- Safe use of the oven and kettle
Year 6
Year 6 sees students continue to build upon skills taught in Year 5 as well as learning some basic cooking techniques
- Safe use of a grill and hob
- Simmering
- Rubbing in method
- Folding in method
Year 7
As students start KS3 they are taught more in depth about diet and nutrition and the function of macro and micro nutrients. As well as these students start to learn to adapt recipes and consider presentation techniques.
- Diet and nutrition
- Food labelling
- Adapting recipes
- Presentation techniques
- Whisking/aeration
- Creating healthy alternatives of convenience style meals
Year 8
During Year 8 students are encourage to consider the diets of others and look at different cooking methods and cuisine from around the world. By the time students leave at the end of Year 8 they would have had the opportunity to plan/adapt recipes of their choice to create dishes which show off their cooking ability.
- Foods from around the world
- Dough
- Herbs and spices
- Sauces and dips
- Adapting recipes
- Practical cooking skills
At Christ Church Academy we are lucky enough to have a well equipped workshop and all year groups KS2 & KS3 have the opportunity to complete product design lessons. Pupils have the opportunity to follow the design process and also use the tools and equipment with increasing confidence.
Year 5
In Year 5 pupils will have an introduction to practical skills but getting the chance to make a personalised key ring from Acrylic plastic.
- Workshop health and safety
- Using basic hand tools
- Experimenting with plastics
- Learning about CAD CAM- Use of laser cutter
Year 6
In Year 6 pupils will develop the materials use in Year 5 by making a personalised clock from acrylic plastic. They will decorate the clock based on a theme they have researched and designed.
- Using hand tools with more precision
- Heating plastic and the chemical process involved
- Telling the time on an analogue clock
- Using coloured vinyl to create stickers
Year 7
In Year 7 pupils will learn about structures and engineering. They will create their own structures and test them to destruction.
- Team work skills
- Problem solving
- Engineering and STEM links
- Material experimentation
Year 8
In Year 8 pupils will be completing a ‘Bloodhound car’ challenge. Their brief is to create the fastest motor powered miniature car. This will be raced at the end of the project.
- Team work skills
- Problem solving
- Bloodhound car research
- Use of hand tools
- Use of glue guns
- STEM links- Engineering
- Testing, evaluating and analysing scientific data
Year 5
In Year 5 pupils will complete an internal design competition to re-design the logo for the Design Technology Department. The overall winning logo at the end of the academic year will be transformed by a local Graphic designer into a digital form that can be used across the department/school the following academic year.
- What is Graphic design
- History of logos
- What makes an effective logo
- Drawing techniques
- Colour theory
Year 6
In Year 6 pupils will look at pop up mechanisms as part of this topic.
- Understand how a range of mechanisms create movement
- Develop understanding of different mechanisms and how to make them.
- To design to a product criteria to meet user needs
- Create a prototype of initial ideas
- Planning the creation of a final idea
Year 7
In Year 7 pupils will be designing chocolate packaging, linking with a trip Cadburys Chocolate World.
- What makes effective packaging
- How they make packaging in industry
- Environmentally friendly packaging
- Net shape development
- Material testing
- Construction of 3D shapes
Year 8
In Year 8 pupils will be studying Architecture and technical drawing. The brief is to design a modern tree house. The project is supported by a local Architect company.
- Group work
- Problem solving skills
- Design communication
- Environmentally friendly architecture
- Creating products in order to finalise an idea
- 3D modelling techniques
