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Northmead Junior School

Northmead Junior School

Design Technology

 

 Mrs Pilson is the subject lead for Design Technology

Design technology prepares pupils to participate in rapidly changing technologies. The subject calls for pupils to become problem solvers. They must look for needs, wants and opportunities and respond to them by developing a range of ideas and making products and systems. They combine practical skills with an understanding of aesthetics. As they do so, they reflect on and evaluate present and past design and technology, its uses and effects.

The  National Curriculum (2014) states that there are four main skills that children should be taught to develop in Design Technology: Designing, Making, Evaluating and Technical Knowledge.

 

These are the units we teach at Northmead.  

 

Year Group

Autumn

Spring

Summer

3

Pneumatics

Moving monsters

To understand how pneumatic systems create movement

Apply a range of finishing techniques, including those from art and design, with some accuracy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joining materials

Shadow puppets

Assemble, join and combine materials and components with some accuracy

Explain their choice of materials and components according to functional properties and aesthetic qualities

4

Circuits

Torches

Recognise how simple electrical circuits and components can be used to create functional products

 

Levers and linkages

Moving books

How mechanical systems such as levers and linkages create movement

5

Motorised vehicles

Space Buggies

Accurately measure, mark out, cut and shape materials and components- use of hacksaw, bench hook.

How mechanical systems such as  pulleys or gears create movement

 

 

 

Control technology

 Crumble

How to program a computer to control  products

 

6

Cams

 

Moving toys

Accurately assemble, join and combine materials and components- use of hacksaw, bench hook, hand drill.

How mechanical systems such as cams create movement.

Circuits

Alarms

How more complex electrical circuits and components can be used to create functional products

 

 

 

Try more, learn more, achieve more!