How children learn to be designers, makers and engineers @TJ...

In Reception, children begin their technological journey at Thomas Jolyffe by using a range of materials and media to build, create and design models. Children safely use and explore a variety of materials, tools and techniques, experimenting with colour, design, texture, form and function. Children are able to share their creations, explaining the process they have used. 

By Year One children begin to link their learning to wider world in Technology by discovering where different foods come from, focussing on adopting healthy lifestyle choices. As they move through Year One the focus remains on food and healthy choices through planting, nurturing and harvesting food for themselves.

As they progress into Year Two children look in growing depth at designing, planning and testing things they make, from vehicles to houses, board game to puppets. This gives children a firm foundation from which to move on to Key Stage 2.

Children begin their time in Key Stage 2 with an introduction to mechanics. Using pulleys and cogs they learn about the Canal du Midi. They learn to consider evaluating and improving upon their original designs. Later in Year 3, during their Scavengers and Settlers unit of work, children learn about early farming and food.

By Year 4 children build on their Key Stage 1 experiences and find out about not only where food comes from but how it is transported around the globe. The mechanical aspect of technology grows as children learn about wheels, pulleys, lever, slides and floats.

During Year 5, children continue to develop their knowledge and understanding of food. Moving on to learn about different food groups, safe storage and preparation of food, culminating in the planning, creation and evaluation of an inspired-island dish.

In preparation for secondary school, children begin to add a social/ moral dimension to their knowledge of how technology affects our daily lives. They also create their own political party to create change within the school community, creating their own marketing, logos and manifesto materials. 

They end their year by learning about the impact printing has on life and creating their own book.

We hope that this progressive curriculum will inspire children at Thomas Jolyffe to become  the engineers, makers and designers of the future. 

Mrs S Carr (DT Coordinator)