Design and Technology (DT)

At Telferscot the DT curriculum is an opportunity for children to develop a range of practical and design skills to give them the confidence to create imaginative products using a wide range of media. Well taught DT provides children with practical skills that help them to be happy and active members of the larger community. By the time a child leaves Telferscot they should be confident to design, make and evaluate lots of different products using a variety of different materials; children will also have a range of technical skills that will allow them to interact with the world around them as makers and engineers.

How DT is taught at Telferscot

Design and Technology is taught in four blocks across the year. Most of these blocks are centred around a design brief, through which children develop their skills, knowledge, and understanding of the full design process - from initial ideas to final product.

In the Spring term, each year group takes part in a dedicated skills-based block. This provides an opportunity for children to focus on developing a specific skill in greater depth, which they can then apply and build upon in future DT projects.

Design Brief - At Telferscot, children will be given a design brief that clearly outlines who their product is for and the specific requirements it must meet. This helps learners understand that successful design is not only about the final product, but also about meeting the needs and preferences of an intended audience.
Research - To support their designing process, children will explore and analyse a range of existing examples similar to the product they plan to create. This research helps them understand what works well and why. They may also study the work of a particular designer linked to their project, gaining inspiration and insight into professional design practices.
Design - Children spend time on their design process, creating diagrams and instructions to help them understand their process. This process can be modelled and supported by adults but the children are always given the opportunity to think creatively about what they are making.
Make - Children are given time to construct and revise their product. Children are taught to use a range of tools and materials over their time at Telferscot.
Evaluation - Children will test and evaluate their product, referring back to the design brief. If improvements can be made, they will suggest how to alter the product. This may be done verbally.

What our children design and produce in DT

Other ways our children develop their DT skills

Children from Nursery to Year 3 have Forest School sessions taught by a specialist. They learn to use a range of tools to create products from natural materials. As part of the Computing curriculum, children use technology to programme Micro:bits to make a controllable product and do Computer Aided Design work.

How we enhance our children's experience of DT at Telferscot

Children get many experiences to explore the world that surrounds us through the lens of DT.

STEAM Week – As part of the broader subject children develop their design and make skills when given a creative brief. Children really enjoy the opportunity to bring their skills and ideas to this annual whole school challenge.