Art and Design and Design Technology at The Willows

At The Willows, we want every child to be inspired, creative and confident to explore ideas, solve problems and make purposeful outcomes.

We follow the National Curriculum for Art and Design and Design Technology, helping pupils develop the knowledge and skills to create, evaluate and appreciate art, craft, design and technology.

Our curriculum

Our curriculum builds knowledge and skills over time. In Art and Design, children develop drawing, painting, sculpture and other creative techniques while learning about a diverse range of artists, craft makers and designers. Art links meaningfully with History, Geography and other curriculum areas, helping children explore different cultures, places and time periods.

In Design Technology, children use creativity and imagination to design and make products for real purposes. They explore materials, structures, mechanisms, textiles, food and nutrition, learning how to make thoughtful choices for a particular user.

Thinking like artists and designers

Children are encouraged to:

• explore and experiment with a range of materials and techniques;
• use sketchbooks, drawings and models to develop ideas;
• research, plan and communicate designs for a clear purpose;
• select and use tools, equipment and materials safely and accurately;
• make, test and improve their work in response to feedback; and
• evaluate their own work and the work of artists, designers and makers.

Art and Design Technology in action

Learning is practical and hands-on. Children use a range of materials and techniques to respond creatively to their learning, then design, make and evaluate products that solve problems. We celebrate their creativity and achievements through our Willows Art Exhibition, giving pupils the opportunity to share their work with pride.

An education for every child

Our lessons are carefully adapted so that every pupil can take part, achieve and be challenged. By the end of Year 6, we aim for pupils to leave The Willows as confident, curious and creative young artists and designers, able to express ideas and create purposeful solutions.

 

Design and Technology at The Willows

At The Willows, we want every child to be creative, resourceful and confident to solve real problems through designing and making.

We follow the National Curriculum for Design and Technology, helping pupils develop the creative, technical and practical skills needed for an increasingly technological world.

Our Design and Technology curriculum

Our carefully sequenced curriculum builds knowledge and skills over time. Children design and make purposeful products for a range of users, drawing on learning from science, mathematics, computing, art and other areas of the curriculum.

They explore materials, structures, mechanisms, textiles, electrical systems and food and nutrition. Children learn how products work, how they are made and how design can improve everyday life.

Thinking like designers

Children learn both the knowledge of Design and Technology and the practical skills needed to bring ideas to life. They are encouraged to:

• research users and identify a clear purpose;
• develop and communicate ideas through drawings, models and prototypes;
• select and use tools, equipment and materials safely;
• make products accurately and with increasing control;
• test and evaluate their ideas against design criteria; and
• improve their work in response to feedback.

Design and Technology in action

Learning is practical and hands-on. Children take part in the full design process: researching, planning, making, testing and evaluating. They also develop important life skills through cooking and nutrition, learning about healthy eating and where food comes from.

A Design and Technology education for every child

Our lessons are carefully adapted so that every pupil can take part, achieve and be challenged. Key learning is revisited so that knowledge becomes secure and pupils make meaningful connections as they move through the school.

By the end of Year 6, we aim for pupils to leave The Willows as confident, curious and creative young designers, able to turn ideas into purposeful solutions.