Design and Technology

Intent: At William Levick, we aim to inspire creativity, foster problem-solving skills and develop practical abilities in students. Through DT, children will gain knowledge and practically understand how things are designed, made and evaluated. They will learn to apply skills by exploring various materials, tools and techniques. The primary goal is to nurture the children’s design thinking and empower them to become innovative and resourceful individuals.

Impact: By engaging in DT projects, children will enhance their creativity and problem solving skills. They will develop resilience and perseverance as they encounter challenges and find creative solutions, empowering them to become innovative thinkers and confident.

Implementation: We have designed an engaging and comprehensive DT curriculum that aligns with the National Curriculum. This includes:

Practical Engagement: Children will actively participate in hands-on projects, using a variety of tools, materials, and techniques. They will experience the entire design process, from brainstorming ideas to creating prototypes.

Problem-solving Approach: Children will engage in open-ended tasks that require them to identify problems, generate ideas and develop innovative solutions. They will learn to evaluate and refine their designs based on functionality, aesthetics and user needs.

Make links to real world of Design Technology: Our curriculum makes links to the real world, including where and how raw materials are produced and how goods are manufactured on a larger scale. It will also make links to famous creators in the world of design, engineering, food and textiles

Children will progress through the three key stages of the design process:

Design: Children will learn to identify problems, generate ideas and develop design concepts. They will consider user needs, functionality and aesthetics, as well as using sketching and models to communicate their ideas.

Making: Children will develop practical skills by selecting appropriate tools and materials and using techniques such as cutting, shaping, joining and assembling. They will create prototypes and refine their designs based on these.

Evaluation: Children will critically evaluate their designs. They will consider the effectiveness of their solutions, make improvements and reflect on the design process itself.

An outline of our DT curriculum can be found here and further details about DT in our Foundation Stage can be found here.