Design & Technology

At Horbury Primary Academy, we believe that design and technology encourages children to think creatively and solve practical problems. It allows pupils to make real-life links between their own work and the work of engineers, architects, and designers. We encourage our children to investigate, plan, adapt and evaluate their own work and that of others. Discussions and evaluations during the creative process lead children to think of improvements that could be made and suggestions of alternative methods.

“Design and technology is thinking made visual”.

The teaching of Design Technology across the academy follows the National Curriculum through the use of Design and Technology Association’s ‘Projects On A Page’ documents. Children design products with a purpose in mind and an intended user of the products. Food technology is implemented across the academy with children developing an understanding of where food comes from, the importance of a varied and healthy diet and how to prepare this.

In Key Stage 1: Within key stage 1, we aim to develop design, creativity and problem solving through purposeful design projects which promote the children’s  skills in developing as individuals and as part of a team. Key stage 1 also aims to promote in children a clear understanding of where food comes from.

In Key Stage 2: Through a variety of creative and practical activities, pupils should be taught the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to engage in an iterative process of designing and making. They should work in a range of relevant contexts, for example, the home, school, leisure, culture, enterprise, industry and the wider environment.

Each topic ends with all children creating a final product; these products are a fantastic way for children to demonstrate the skills they have learnt. Throughout the school, children are given the opportunity to consolidate their skills by creating their final product independently. Each lesson builds on the previous and children’s skills are improved upon throughout each topic. It is also clear to see the progression of skills throughout the school through the quality of products each year group creates.