Design and technology

At Barnes Primary School, we pride ourselves in the outstanding teaching of real design and technology. All children are given the opportunity to design and make products that solve real and relevant problems considered in context. In other words, in every project we are designing something, for somebody, for some purpose. Units of learning follow a consistent and structured approach which ensures that children evaluate existing products, practise related skills, and design and make real products. Great care is taken to ensure that skills are taught in a logical sequence, allowing children to build on skills already learned. In every project, the user is placed firmly at the centre of thinking, allowing children to arrive at an understanding of the designed world and their place within it. Central to our teaching of design and technology is the principle that in working iteratively, all children develop a range of skills and characteristics (including resourcefulness, resilience, innovation and a willingness to take risks) which are fundamental to success not only at school but also in life.

Teachers plan the activities that must be covered during the course of the year very carefully. To ensure that there is sufficient focus on this subject area, we organise special ‘Solve a Problem’ weeks, when the children spend quality time designing, making and evaluating products. This takes place at the end of Autumn Term 1. Most year groups tend to do the same projects each year so that the children are able to build on certain skills. However, there is often a theme such as innovation or making links to other areas of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).

In Nursery, every day is a DT day! We train the children to use tools and equipment effectively and safely. This ensures that the woodwork table and Design and Making table are available in every free flow session (where children choose what they want to do). There are always fabulous inventions and creations produced! During our specific DT week, Nursery have a ‘wibble wobble’ week. There is lots of trying to balance in different contexts including standing on real eggs! We look at the design of existing famous towers and bridges to inspire new building designs in our play.

In Reception, every day is also a DT day! We train the children to use tools and equipment effectively and safely. This ensures that the woodwork table and Design and Making table are available in every free flow session (where children choose what they want to do). There are always fabulous inventions and creations produced! During our specific DT week, we test different materials for strength and learn to use new methods to connect various materials. We then combine our story telling talents with our DT skills, to produce our own moving puppets for the Diwali story.

Year 1 make an ideal bedroom for a Lego character. The children design and make furniture to fit in their ‘shoebox bedrooms’.

Year 2 design and make a bread product which could be sold in Thomas Farynor’s bakery to raise money for the people who lost their homes in the Great Fire of London. Children are always very excited about making their own bread!

Year 3 design and make an apron suitable to wear during art and cooking lessons. Pupils develop their own design by personalising it and designing and creating an organisation pocket.

Year 4 design and make their own individual Morse code machines which are inspired by their Second World War work and their visit to HMS Belfast. The children investigate how Morse code machines work and explore different types of switches. They then create machines that could transmit Morse code messages to each other.

Barnes Bear is bored of his bedroom and wants some space-themed decor! Year 5 children use their textile and stitching skills to fulfil his wishes.

Linked to their learning theme ‘Dangerous Earth’, Year 6 design and make a mechanical toy for a child who has been affected by a natural disaster.

Link to our design & technology progression map