Our vision for design technology:

Our vision at Hawes Side Academy is that children are able to design and make products that solve real and relevant problems. It is where skills and knowledge are drawn together in the creation of a product. We want to develop the children’s independence so they feel confident to make design choices, knowing that if it does not work out as expected, their evaluation will help to move their design on next time.

The different areas that will be covered are Structures, Card Making, Textiles, Mechanisms and Food Technology.  Through these areas, the children will look at the work of professional craftspeople and designers.           

Our hope is that we can provide the children with a foundation in design and technology, that could help to train the engineers and architects of the future!

Our approach to design technology:

Using the National Curriculum, the development of design and technology proficiency is achieved through opportunities and experiences across a broad curriculum. The Hawes Side Academy curriculum enables pupils to take part in a wide range of practical activities directly concerned with:

  • identifying needs

  • generating ideas

  • planning and designing

  • making and testing

  • evaluating and reflecting

All of these key disciplinary skills are realised through design projects which explore and use of a variety of mediums and materials such as textiles, construction, sheet materials, mechanisms, computer-aided design (CAD) and cooking and nutrition. 

Following an iterative design process is key to enabling children to evaluate and adjust their designs and products. We achieve this though various approaches such as: the use of handling displays for children to explore existing designs and products; well-structured lessons allowing time for exploration, discussion, practise and research; designing a product for a specific audience or 'client' in mind; cross-curricular links that allow children to make connections between subjects and with real-life situations and problems that may need a design solution.

Through a considered curriculum, teachers can ensure that children at Hawes Side Academy build upon the skills and knowledge acquired in KS1, gaining confidence and a deeper understanding as they progress through KS2 equipping them with the vital skills they will need going into KS3 and beyond. 

Our design technology curriculum:

The National Curriculum Design and Technology Programmes of Study for key stages 1 and 2 can be found HERE