At The Vale Academy, we believe that design and technology is a subject that encourages and inspires children to become innovators in applying their knowledge and understanding when developing ideas, planning, making products and then evaluating them. It enables them to identify needs, and opportunities and to respond by developing ideas and eventually making products. Through the study of design and technology, they combine practical skills with an understanding of aesthetic, social and environmental issues, as well as functions and industrial practices. This allows them to reflect on and evaluate present and past design and technology, its uses and its impacts.

Design and Technology prepares children to take part in the development of today’s rapidly changing world. Creative thinking encourages children to make positive changes to their quality of life and this subject area encourages children to become autonomous and creative problem-solvers, both as individuals and as part of a team.

Knowledge Acquisition

Children learn about:

• how things work, and draw and model their ideas.
• technological processes, products, and their manufacture, and their contribution to our society.
• attitudes towards the world around us regarding construction, textiles, mechanisms, and food

Skill Development

Children learn how to:

• identify how existing products are made
• to design using appropriate materials and gain a fundamental understanding of the purpose of design.
• collaborate with others, listening to other children’s ideas and treating these with respect.
• Develop imaginative thinking and talk about what they like and dislike when designing and making.
• select appropriate tools and techniques for making a product, whilst following safe procedures.