Design and Technology
Our design and technology studies focus on teaching fundamental skills and knowledge through a themed approach, often connecting with other subjects. By doing so, we provide a real-world context for children to understand the purpose o their work and the criteria that lead to successful end products.
Our goal is the help children grasp the practical applications of design and technology in everyday life, recognising their significant role in todays workface.
Nursery
In Nursery, pupils begin to explore how things are made and how they work through hands on, creative play. They use a variety of materials, such as cardboard, fabric, and natural objects to build, join, and create. Children are encouraged to experiment with different tools like scissors, glue sticks, and tape, learning how to cut, stick, and shape materials safely. Through activities like junk modelling, cooking, and construction play, they begin to develop problem solving skills and confidence in their ideas. Pupils are supported to talk about what they are making and to explore how they might improve or change their designs.
Expressive Arts and Design
The development of children’s artistic and cultural awareness supports their imagination and creativity. It is important that children have regular opportunities to engage with the arts, enabling them to explore and play with a wide range of media and materials. The quality and variety of what children see, hear and participate in is crucial for developing their understanding, self-expression, vocabulary and ability to communicate through the arts. The frequency, repetition and depth of their experiences are fundamental to their progress in interpreting and appreciating what they hear, respond to and observe.
Reception
In Reception, pupils build on their early experiences by planning and creating more purposeful designs. They are introduced to simple design processes, thinking about what they want to make, what materials they will use, and how they will put it together. Children explore how to join materials in different ways and use tools with increasing control and safety. They take part in cooking activities, learning to follow simple recipes and use kitchen tools appropriately. Pupils are encouraged to evaluate their creations, talk about what worked well, and suggest improvements. These experiences help develop creativity, independence, and practical problem solving skills.
Expressive Arts and Design
The development of children’s artistic and cultural awareness supports their imagination and creativity. It is important that children have regular opportunities to engage with the arts, enabling them to explore and play with a wide range of media and materials. The quality and variety of what children see, hear and participate in is crucial for developing their understanding, self-expression, vocabulary and ability to communicate through the arts. The frequency, repetition and depth of their experiences are fundamental to their progress in interpreting and appreciating what they hear, respond to and observe.
Year 1
In Year 1, children explore how things are made and how they can be improved through imaginative, hands-on projects. As part of the Caring for Others project, they design and build a bed for a jelly baby, experimenting with different materials and learning how to make simple structures strong and stable. In food technology, they practise cooking hygiene while making sugar-free gingerbread men and take part in a carrot cake cook-off, following recipes and evaluating their creations. Children also explore mechanisms by designing pop-up posters with moving parts like spinning wheels and flaps. Later in the year, they prepare a Tudor banquet, learning how to safely chop vegetables and cook simple dishes like bread and pottage. These projects help children develop creativity, independence, and practical problem-solving skills.
Structures
- Explore and experiment with different materials to build a bed for a jelly baby
- Learn basic assembling, testing, and evaluating techniques
Mechanisms
- Design and create pop-up posters using moving parts such as flaps and spinning wheels
- Evaluate how mechanisms work and suggest improvements
Cooking & Nutrition
- Follow a recipe and practise cooking hygiene to make sugar-free gingerbread men
- Grow and harvest carrots to bake a carrot cake for a cross-Trust bake-off
- Prepare food for a Tudor banquet, including chopping vegetables and baking bread
Year 2
In Year 2, children develop their creativity and problem-solving skills through a range of hands-on design and technology projects. They explore structures by designing, building, and testing escape boats linked to the Great Fire of London, learning how to make their creations strong, stable, and fit for purpose. In the Eggy Challenge, they design and test parachutes, thinking carefully about materials and how to protect a falling egg. As part of their learning in cooking and nutrition, children explore what makes a balanced meal and prepare dishes for the school menu. Later in the year, they make rocky road treats to sell at the school fête, combining cooking with enterprise and teamwork. Each project encourages children to design with purpose, evaluate their work, and take pride in what they create.
Structures
- Design, build, and test Great Fire of London escape boats for strength and buoyancy
- Construct Baby Bear’s chair, exploring stability and strengthening techniques
Mechanisms
- Design and build a parachute for the Eggy Challenge, testing and evaluating its effectiveness
Cooking & Nutrition
- Prepare WWII recipes such as eggless sponge, wartime loaf, and cabbage soup
- Design a balanced meal for the school menu using locally sourced ingredients
- Participate in community baking by making iced biscuits to share
Year 3
Year 4
Year 5
Year 6
Contact: admin@tcat.education
Phone: 01392 304040
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