Design & Technology at Bransty

“The nature of design and technology is such that it should provide opportunities for pupils to engage in activities that are challenging, relevant and motivating. This should give pupils enjoyment, satisfaction and a sense of purpose.”
– DATA Primary Guidance
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At Bransty Primary School we recognise that Design and Technology prepares children to take part in the development of today’s rapidly changing world. This subject encourages children to become independent and creative problem-solvers, both as individuals and as part of a team. (In turn, creative thinking encourages children to make positive changes to their quality of life.) It also enables them to identify needs and opportunities and to respond by developing ideas and eventually making products and systems. Through the study of Design and Technology they combine practical skills with an understanding of aesthetic, social and environmental issues, as well as functions and industrial practices. This allows them to reflect on and evaluate present and past Design and Technology, its uses and its impacts. Design and Technology helps all children to become discriminating and informed consumers and potential innovators.
Our Design and Technology curriculum provides a clear and comprehensive scheme of work that will show progression of skills across all key stages within the strands of Design and Technology and provides both support and challenge for learners.
In the Early Years Foundation Stage, we provide children with a range of materials to construct with, encourage them to think about and discuss what they want to make, discuss problems and how they might be solved as they arise. Staff reflect with children on how they have achieved their aims and teach children different techniques for joining materials. We encourage the development of skills, knowledge and understanding that help Nursery & Reception children make sense of their world as an integral part of the
school’s work. This learning forms the foundations for later work in Design and Technology. These early experiences include asking questions about how things work, investigating and using a variety of construction kits, materials, tools and products, developing making skills and handling appropriate tools and construction material safely and with increasing control.
In Key Stages 1 and 2, we follow the guidance set out in the National Curriculum and use the aligned KAPOW planning and resources. We believe Design and Technology offers opportunities for children to:
▪ develop their capability to create high quality products through combining their designing and making skills with knowledge and understanding
▪ develop a sense of enjoyment and pride in their ability to make
▪ nurture creativity and innovation through designing and making
▪ develop an interest and understanding of the ways in which people from the past
and present have used design to meet their needs