Trotts Hill Primary School and Nursery
The three areas we focus on in Trotts Hill are Food Technology, mechanisms and textiles.
Design and Technology is an inspiring and practical subject. The subject encourages children to learn and think creatively whilst testing and making. Children are encouraged to use their creativity, imagination, as well as independent thought, to design and make products within a variety of contexts. All children follow three areas of learning; mechanisms, textiles and food technology. This ensures that every child achieves a high level of skill-based learning throughout their academic career. Learning is made cross curricular where possible. All elements of learning are purposeful to the individual.
Through a variety of creative and practical activities, we teach the knowledge and skills needed to engage in a process of designing and making. The children work in a range of relevant contexts connected to their topic in class. Each topic is linked to the skills for that year group. When designing and making, the children are taught to design, use research and develop their own success criteria. Each product designed is aimed at particular groups or individuals. Children generate and communicate their ideas through discussion, annotated sketches, prototypes and some computer-aided design. When making their products, children in each class select from a variety of tools and perform practical tasks that are linked to their given skill in their year group (eg cutting in key stage 1 to joining and finishing in key stage 2.) Once tasks are completed or products finished, they are analysed, evaluated and investigated to ensure they have met their own design success criteria.
We ensure the children build an understanding of skills in order to design and make products for a wide range of users. Children critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products. Furthermore, children understand and apply the principles of nutrition and learn how to cook. Children will design and make a range of products throughout their school career. A good quality finish will be expected in all design and activities made appropriate to the age and ability of the child. Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, pupils develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world. High-quality design and technology education makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of every child.
Year 1 have been looking at different mechanisms that make pictures move. They then used the skills and knowledge they had learnt to create their own moving pictures.
The children created their own winter decorations using a variety of stitches as well as using an applique technique to design the front and back of their decoration.
The children designed Christmas stockings and then used various techniques to bring their designs to life in time for Santa!
The children started by exploring different pencil cases and thinking about the design features for a successful pencil case. They then designed their own and used sewing skills to create their pencil case.
Year 6 made their own tortillas. They had to weigh, knead and roll out their dough to make a tortilla and then cooked it on a stove. The children also practised their chopping skills by chopping a variety of vegetables and choosing which to add as a filling to their tortilla.
The children designed their pizzas and then worked hard to make their dough and knead it. They then grated, chopped and cut their toppings ready for cooking at home.
The children had great fun, designing, building and testing their own kites.
The children used pneumatics to create a moving part for their monsters.
Year 6: 3D Winter decoration
The children started the week by exploring different pencil cases and thinking about what features a good pencil case needs. The children then designed their own and used their sewing skills to make their own pencil case.