The Perse School Cambridge

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Aim

The principal aim of the Design Technology department is to develop an awareness of design and how it relates to the world in which we live.

Approach

Pupils receive two lessons each week which, during the course of the year, also includes a course in Food Technology.

Design Technology is essentially a practical subject requiring a practical approach in every activity. The design aspect of the subject must be based on experience and experiment.

Pupils are encouraged to analyse different products and understand how and why they are designed and made. We look at the materials used and assess if they are appropriate to the product’s function.

Our scheme of work shows how a pupil will build up, over their four years with us, a bank of knowledge of materials and processes so that their design work is founded on sound experience of various materials and construction techniques.

Pupils are introduced to a wide range of materials, including wood, foam board and electronic components and have the opportunity to develop their measuring, cutting and making skills.

They are also shown how to create high quality projects by developing their creativity and innovation through the design process, combining their design with practical craft skills.

What will my child study?

Year 3

Pupils learn how to use equipment in a safe and sensible manner. They also learn how to measure, cut and glue accurately using a range of tools and develop their understanding of pneumatics through simple models and experiments. They also learn how to tie dye fabric and design and sew a simple item made from felt.

In Food Technology pupils learn how to make fruit smoothies.

Year 4

Pupils make a series of simple mechanisms using paper and card. They also learn how to make a vacuum formed model of a robot which they then fit with a simple electric circuit and working light and use Revelation Natural Art software to design packaging for the finished model.

In Food Technology pupils learn how to make soup.

Year 5

Pupils make a simple working model which includes a cam mechanism. Working in pairs, they also design and make a chair from card and other recyclable materials.

In Food Technology they make and bake bread.

Year 6

Pupils look at the workings of pulley systems and then design and make a model using this knowledge. They use Flow-Go equipment to control and vary the speed and direction of the motor and use fret saws to cut and shape resistant materials to make a working clock.

In Food Technology they make a fruit crumble.