Design Technology at Bedford Drive Primary School

The School has adapted the National Curriculum for Design and Technology as defined by the Department for Education. The National Curriculum for DT aims to ensure that all pupils:

The national curriculum for design and technology aims to ensure that all pupils:

• develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world;

• build and apply a repertoire of knowledge, understanding and skills in order to design and make high-quality prototypes and products for a wide range of users;

• critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products and the work of others;

• understand and apply the principles of nutrition and learn how to cook.

We would like to share our work and learning

Foundation 1

In D.T, Foundation 1 have been learning about textiles and looking at work by the famous hat designer Philip Treacy. The children have been adding embellishments to different fabrics to make their own Easter Crowns.

Foundation 2

Foundation 2 have been learning about simple mechanisms and how things move. We have enhanced many areas of provision with resources that enable our learners to make simple mechanisms. We have also designed and created simple vehicles with movable wheels for the STEM project.

Year 1

In Year 1, we have explored free-standing structures and what makes them successful. We made links with our English story of Rapunzel and planned what sort of tower would keep her safe. We used different materials to investigate successful structures and then built our own using paper.

Year 2

Year 2 have been looking at moving vehicles and has designed and made their own vehicles using wheels and axels. The children were able to evaluate both of their designs, suggesting ways forward.

Year 3

Year 3 investigated shell structures. Using our knowledge of famous landmarks we looked at Sydney Opera House. Children analysed products that are currently available and how they utilise a net to turn a 2D shape into a 3D shell structure. Children reviewed several items and dismantled one into its original net. With the design brief of building a shell structure to contain and protect a small treasure, children selected their own net that would fit our specification. Children then designed and built their own shell structure, evaluating their product once it was complete.

Year 4

Year 4 learnt about the Archimedes Screw and the impact that this design. We then discussed how it has evolved over the years from being powered by hand to today’s current methods. We then investigated different types of mechanisms, practising our measuring and cutting skills and different types of pivot, before designing, making and evaluating a storyboard for younger children. We decided to use nursery rhymes and some of our characters moved using a mechanism.

Year 6

Year 6 investigated burglar alarm systems. The children researched and analysed a variety of different alarm systems to develop an understanding of their purpose and functions. Year 6 were very fortunate to experience a Hi-Impact workshop this term. This involved, through the use of micro:bits, the children to practice constructing an alarm system which was controlled by a computer control program. Our learning then moved onto designing their burglar alarm system, building the product then evaluating it once it was complete.

There are a number of ways that you can support with your childs learning at home in DT, please click here for some suggestions from The Lego Foundation

At Bedford Drive Primary School, we have constructed an ambitious DT Curriculum, which follows the content of the EYFS Framework and the National Curriculum. These documents, along with our school policy are available below.