Design and Technology

As an engineer at Fairlawn, our enquiry-based curriculum is designed so that engineering opportunities are available throughout the children’s learning.

We are hoping to soon be able to expand our children’s curriculum with new additions to our STEAM room, including cooking provision and the chance to engage in woodwork based activities.

We will be able to provide our children with the chance to design purposeful, functional, appealing products for themselves and other users based on design criteria. They will experience a physical ‘hands on approach’ during enquiry time as well as during other learning opportunities, such as celebrations and festivals, to use the equipment to create amazing edible or structural pieces.

Children will experiment with and use a range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks making sure they explore a wide range of materials and components, including construction materials, textiles and ingredients.

In Early Years, our engineers will learn to safely use and explore a variety of materials, tools and techniques. The children will experiment with colour mixing and will learn to select colour for a purpose. They will use a variety of media, tools, textures and materials to engage in open ended activities based on their own interests. The high quality provision that underpins our Early Years setting allows great opportunity for the children to develop and set free their inner artist.

Our intention is for all of our engineers to leave our school having explored and developed their understanding of how to design, make and evaluate what they make making sure they include appropriate technical knowledge and relate to real life experiences. This will allow the children opportunities to make comparisons and recognise similarities and differences from what they themselves create and the engineering that is happening all around us on a daily basis.