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.
Summer Term 2023
This term, Year 6 completed their Food Technology module of DT. The pupils measured ingredients to make a tortilla wrap from scratch and after mixing, kneading and rolling, their dough was ready to be fried on our new induction hob!
They honed their knife skills cutting lettuce, peppers, tomatoes, cucumber and red onion, which they added to their wraps before tucking in and enjoying them!
The children made 'Moving Monsters' using pneumatics. They used a syringe and balloon or a syringe and a syringe to make their part move.
This term, Year 5 have been making moving models of animals as part of their "Animal Automata" unit. They have explored how endangered animals move and tried to replicate this in their models, using cams to create different movements.
Year 5 tasted a basic scone recipe and then adapted it, adding a variety of flavours and textures.
Year 6 carried out a survey to see what people wanted from a 3D decoration. They created paper patterns and templates, cut their fabric to size, added sequins, buttons and decorative stitches and joined two sides together before filling them with cushion stuffing and scents. Some students also made a crochet loop to hang their decoration.
Year 3 evaluated a range of pencil cases and then designed and made their own. They used some fantastic sewing skills and once completed evaluated their pencil case.
Year 1 made moving Christmas pictures with a sliding, pop up and range of lever mechanisms.
As part of the whole-school balloon buggy project, Year 4 designed and built their own balloon buggies. Construction included sawing dowelling to make axels. The children listened carefully to the safety information and were all able to saw effectively. Most were surprised at how little you needed to push down as the 'teeth do the work'. Ot was great project and the children really rose to the challenge.
As part of their learning on Diwali, Reception class use clay to make Diva lamps. They had to manipulate the clay to shape it, leaving enough room for a tealight candle, then they decorated them using a variety of shaped sequins. The children developed skills in using their hands to shape the clay and also enjoyed working with new textures.
Year 2 used cutting, grating and peeling skills to prepare vegetables to create their own healthy sandwiches.
Year 2 created wonderful toys linked to their topic on Kenya. The children focused on a running stitch and a back stitch.
Reception had a great time making their own 'Dear Zoo' book by making lift the flap pictures. They had to cut, fold and stick the flaps into place but, most importantly, they had to ensure that the flap would be the correct size to cover the picture which involved some trial and error. The following week, the children evaluated their lift-the-flap pictures choosing what they thought worked well and what they may improve upon next time. The pictures were all stuck into a book.
The pupils in Year 5 have been looking at blackwork, which is a type of embroidery popular in the Tudor times. Then, it was used to decorate and reinforce clothing. These days, it is used to decorate items or create pictures. We looked at a variety of modern blackwork patterns to help us create our own designs, which we drew on graph paper and then stitched. We used running stitches and backstitch to create our patterns. Sometimes we used a knight-stitch - so called, because it crosses holes in the aida fabric in a similar way to how a knight crosses a chess board. Once we had completed our stitching, we folded the edges and used a running stitch to secure the folded edges to prevent fraying. Some of us then backed the bookmarks with felt, using running stitches in the previous gaps - this is known as holbein-stitch.
Year 6 enjoyed making tortilla wraps from scratch, weighing, measuring, mixing, kneading, rolling and finally frying their wraps on the hob. They also prepared lettuce, cucumber, peppers, tomatoes and red onion to go inside their wraps. Some children brought in additional fillings such as chicken, ham and cheese. This was topped off with salsa, guacamole and soured cream for those who wanted it. Year 6 thought their wraps were delicious and one pupil made them for his whole family the same evening!
Year 3 developed their kneading and chopping skills when making a vegetable soup, a tomato soup and bread rolls. They very much enjoyed tasting their creations.
Year 5 and 6 engineers undertook a challenge, organised by SETPOINT Hertfordshire, to design and build a bridge with moving parts. The workshop was delivered by Emma Richardson, a Trotts Hill governor.
Year 6 became Smart Toy Engineers during a workshop with SETPOINT. We used BBC Microbit to programme a Bit Bot. We had to test, code and debug the robot to complete different tasks.
Year 3 have worked incredibly hard all spring term with their sewing. They created some bookmarks using a variety of different stitches that they had learned over the term.
Year 2 have focused on making different mechanisms. The children had to make a 3D skateboard for Traction Man. Everyone tried and tested different pulls, pushes and learned about axels and chassis. The children successfully designed and created their own vehicles.
Spring Term Year 1 Fruit Kebabs
This term Year 1 have been completing the topic ' Eat more fruit and vegetables'. As part of this topic, we investigated different fruits and vegetables and practise preparing them in a variety of ways. At the end of the unit we combined all of our skills to make some healthy and tasty fruit kebabs.
The children in Year 3 investigated using different pneumatic systems to create a moving part. Next, they designed their moving monsters and used syringes to make their chosen part move. Finally, the children made and then evaluated their moving monster.
This term, year 4 have been improving their cooking skills by making a savoury quiche. They designed their own quiche, choosing their own toppings. The children then shaped the pastry, made the mixture, prepared the vegetables and the quiches were cooked in the oven. They tasted delicious!
Year 5 have been investigating movement cause by different shaped cams. They have designed a moving animal following research on different endangered species. We have used cams to create movement and will add our animals now the mechanisms are in place.
Year 3 have started sewing club, focusing on running stitches. They will be making their own book marks.
Autumn Term Year 1 - Glove Puppets
This term, Year 1 have been designing and making glove puppets. We have learnt how to do a running stitch and worked hard designing, creating and evaluating our glove puppets.
Year 4 designed and created their own stocking for Christmas.
Year 5 designed and created their own scones. The children thought about both sweet and savoury scones.
The children evaluated pencil cases and then designed and made their own.
Trotts Hill had a wonderful time learning about different fruits and vegetables and understanding how and where they are grown. The children had lots of experiences using different vegetables for recipes.
Trotts Hill school have linked up with a farm in Wiltshire. The farmer, William has kindly sent us some videos to learn about his farm. During our themed DT week, the children will be watching the different videos and learning more about where our food comes from.
Year 2 had a lovely day making and eating their own designed sandwiches. the children had to chop, slice and grate different fruits and vegetables. They then followed their plans to make their own unique sandwiches.
Year 6 made and tested prototype kites before designing a kite to a specific brief and then making it. They especially enjoyed taking them outside to fly them!
Year 2 tried and tested a variety of breads focusing on their appearance, taste and smell.
LI: To investigate materials.
Year 6 investigated different materials for their Chinese inventions.
