At Stamshaw Junior School Design Technology gives children the opportunity to become innovators by applying their creativity and practical problem-solving skills in practical ways. Using challenging questions as a starting point, we encourage our pupils to design and build products that solve problems in a variety of real world and imagined contexts. Producing visual design research supports their inquiry and our pupils are given opportunity to reflect and evaluate their work, adjusting to improve their outcome. We aim to build strong and meaningful links between Design Technology and other subjects, with a particular focus on maths, science, computing and art.

Our children design and create products that consider function and purpose, and which are relevant to a range of sectors (for example, the home, school, leisure, industry, and the wider environment). Through a variety of creative and practical activities, we teach the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to engage in an iterative process of designing and making.

At Stamshaw Junior School the children are taught to follow a process of design, make and evaluate. They use research and design criteria to inform their creation of appealing products that are fit for purpose. Children work together to generate and communicate ideas through discussion, sketches, prototypes, and 3D computer aided design.

Our pupils can select from and use a wide range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks, including cutting, shaping, joining, and finishing, accurately. They select and use materials, ingredients and components taking into account their functional and aesthetic properties.

Evaluation allows pupils to investigate and analyse existing products, as well as investigate their own ideas against a set design criterion to improve their work. They understand how key events and individuals in design and technology have helped shape the world around us.

A focus on technical knowledge allows our pupils to apply their understanding of how to strengthen, stiffen and reinforce more complex structures, as well as understand and use mechanical and electrical systems in their products. They can apply their understanding of computing to program, monitor and control their products.

In food technology pupils apply their accurate cutting and measuring skills to prepare ingredients. Asking challenging design questions allows them to understand some of the ways that food can be processed and the effect of different cooking practices (including baking and grilling).

At Stamshaw Junior School we ensure the children develop the creative, technical and practical expertise they need to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world. By building and applying a repertoire of knowledge, understanding and skills, they become confident designing and making high-quality prototypes and products for a wide range of users and critique. They understand and apply the principles of nutrition and learn how to cook successfully. Our pupils become confident taking risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, and enterprising. Our pupil’s exploration of high-quality design and technology education allows them to engage in and have aspirations for making an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of the nation.