"Creativity is allowing yourself to make mistakes. Design is knowing which ones to keep."

- Scott Adams

Through a variety of creative and practical activities, we teach the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to engage in a sequenced process of designing and making.  The children design and create products that consider function and purpose. When designing and making, the children are taught to:

Design:

• use research and develop design criteria to inform the design of innovative,  functional, appealing products that are fit for purpose, aimed at particular individuals  or groups.
• generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through discussion,  annotated sketches, cross-sectional diagrams, prototypes, pattern pieces and  computer-aided design.

Make:

• select from and use a wider range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks  (for example, cutting, shaping, joining and finishing, as well as chopping and slicing)  accurately.
• select from and use a wider range of materials, ingredients and components,  including construction materials, textiles and ingredients, according to their functional  properties, aesthetic qualities and, where appropriate, taste.

Evaluate:

• investigate and analyse a range of existing products.
• evaluate their ideas and products against their own design criteria and consider the  views of others to improve their work.
• understand how key events and individuals in design and technology have helped  shape the world.  

Technical knowledge:

• apply their understanding of how to strengthen, stiffen and reinforce more complex  structures.
• understand and use mechanical systems in their products.
• understand and use electrical systems in their products.
• apply their understanding of computing to program, monitor and control their products
• understand some of the ways that food can be processed and the effect of different  cooking practices (including baking and grilling).

Key skills and key knowledge for Design and Technology have been mapped across the school to ensure progression between year groups. The context for the children’s work in Design and Technology is also well considered and children learn about real life structures and the purpose of specific examples, as well as developing their skills throughout the programme of study.