Design and Technology

Aims

In DT we encourage all children to develop creativity and to solve problems. Whether enjoying constructing wooden structures in Year 3, programming control software in Year 6 or racing an electric vehicle in a national competition in Year 8, pupils learn skills which should help them to embrace technological aspects of their ever-changing world.

We aim to:

• provide practical opportunities for all children to experience successful creative outcomes
• encourage innovation and problem solving while working from a shared design brief
• develop designing and making skills, knowledge and understanding to the best of each child’s ability, using a range of tools, materials and components safely
• allow pupils to begin to understand the ways in which people have designed products in the past and present to meet their needs

Organisation

Head of Department – Mr M Buck

All children from Year 3 to Year 8 enjoy DT lessons weekly and are taught by specialist teachers in our well-equipped workshop. This features a range of dedicated tools and equipment which allow pupils to develop progressive skills and techniques.

Content

The varied Design and Technology curriculum places a strong emphasis on hands-on learning. Children are encouraged to communicate about their ideas and to reflect and improve them, sometimes while collaborating with peers.

Pupils learn about structures and simple mechanisms, while several of their projects incorporate electrical circuits. Other projects encourage them to consider product design and the needs of users. Computer Aided Design is introduced from Year 5 and in the coming years this will include the older classes experiencing 3D printing.

Activities and projects allow pupils to learn and understand the working characteristics of a variety of materials including wood, card, fabric and plastics. Learning how to work safely goes hand-in-hand with increasing complexity of equipment as the pupils progress through the school.

Practical work takes precedence. Pupils additionally plan work using sketches and diagrams, and evaluate some manufactured products to help them implement improvements into their own. It is expected that the children will use their imagination, think for themselves and innovate, suggesting ways in which things can be done.

Trips and Events

The School is a leading participant in the Greenpower Trust’s exciting STEM initiatives. Racing electric cars constructed at School, our Year 6 pupils compete in Formula Goblin and Year 8 race in F24 (for 11 – 16 year olds). Girls and boys have raced at notable venues such as Silverstone and worked with engineers, including from Lotus Cars, to develop performance while learning about sustainable engineering. Town Close has been a hub for developing the projects in many other Norfolk schools, while achieving results that include 3^rd in category at the International Finals.