Design and Technology is an inspiring and practical subject. Design and Technology encourages children to learn to think and intervene creatively to solve problems both as individuals and as members of a team.

At  Our Lady of Lourdes, we encourage children to use their creativity and imagination, to design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts.

We aim to, wherever possible, link work to other themes in the Learning Challenge Curriculum that we have created. The children are also given opportunities to reflect upon and evaluate past and present design technology, its uses and its effectiveness and are encouraged to become innovators and risk-takers. As well as be resilient when things do not go to plan! 

Through a variety of creative and practical activities, we teach the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to engage in the 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:
The children use research and develop design criteria for their products. They will generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through discussion, annotated sketches, cross-sectional diagrams, prototypes, pattern pieces and computer-aided design.

Make:
The children use a selection of different tools and equipment to perform practical tasks (for example, cutting, shaping, joining and finishing, as well as chopping and slicing) accurately. They will use a selection of different construction materials (fabric, card, wood) in their work. 

Evaluate:
The children will investigate and analyse a range of existing products. They will evaluate their ideas and products against their own design criteria and consider the views of others to improve their work.

Technical knowledge:
The children will:

* 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 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. Some Design Technology lessons are taught as a block so that children’s learning is focused throughout each unit of work and some is taught alongside cross-curricular links.

The children’s knowledge and skills within Design Technology are recorded in knowledge leaves that are attached to the Learning Challenge trees found in all classes. The development of their design, making, evaluating skills will be evaluated against Key Performance Indicators at the end of the year. The technical knowledge is assessed during the unit being taught through child discussion and a record is kept of this within floor books. Other evidence is also gathered by the subject leader through learning walks, observation of lessons and work and through discussion with the children.