Frequently Asked Questions

In this section you will find the most frequently asked questions with regard to all aspects of Primary Design and Technology.

Q: How many QCA units should be undertaken each year?

A: Do not attempt all four that QCA offer. Their intention is that you attempt only three but in making your decision make sure that you achieve a balance across all the available materials. Where appropriate areas to consider should include:

• Food Technology
• Textile Technology (Construction with Textiles not just aesthetics)
• Structures
• Mechanisms (Various types)
• Control aspects (Electricity, Pneumatics etc)
• Computer Control (Key Stage 2)
• Designing and problem solving
• Drawing (Pencil and CAD)

Q: What support is there for using the QCA units?

A: DATA have produced two extremely useful publications:

• Helpsheets
• Lesson Notes

Both of these publications are highly recommended for any school that is using all or part of the QCA material.

Q: Who or what is DATA?

A: DATA is the Design and Technology Association. They can be contacted at:

16 Wellesbourne House
Walton Road
Wellesbourne
CV35 9JB
Tel 01789 470007

They also have a very useful website: www.data.org.uk

Q: Do we have to use the QCA units?

A: No.

All options are open to you. You can use QCA in its entirety. You can use QCA with bits of other material. You can write your own units. You can use other published units. The choice is yours.

Q: Who else produces published units of work?

A: The only recognised alternative to QCA is the Nuffield Primary Solutions Scheme. This pack is also available from DATA. Primary Solutions has a number of distinct advantages over QCA but it should be recognised that just using Primary Solutions on its own will not fully cover all aspects of the current National Curriculum for Design and Technology.

Nuffield Primary Solutions has a very useful website at: www.primarydandt.org.uk

Q: How much time should be spent on Design and Technology?

A: How long is a piece of string? To attempt a realistic answer you ought to aim for an average of one hour a week over the academic year. However one hour every week may not be the most appropriate solution. There are a number of options and selecting your school’s option or collection of options will be a very personal decision. Some schools will opt for the ‘one hour every week’ solution but this may not be the best for children’s learning. Alternatives may include:

• Two hours a week for half a term and then rotate with - say - Art.
• More hours a week but for only part of a half term.

Organise a D&T week in which the equivalent of one term’s work is undertaken but do not attempt this more frequently than once a year.

Q: What is the difference between Art and Design and Technology?

A: This question is often asked just after an Ofsted inspection! There are huge similarities and this should neither be forgotten nor ignored. Likewise they also have their own disciplines that make them unique within the curriculum.

Design and Technology is about making a functional item incorporating on many occasions the attributes of the art curriculum. Art is about shape, line, form, colour etc. which uses on many occasions the skills of the Design and Technology curriculum. The real question you need to ask is:- What are my learning objectives for this lesson?

Q: Where can I find information on Health and Safety?

A: Use the booklet issued to all Hertfordshire Primary Schools in September 2002 titled ‘Design and Technology Safety Guidelines for Foundation Stage, Key Stage 1 and Key Stage 2.’ Extra copies can be purchased from Action Point at Wheathampstead.

Q: Are we allowed to use toilet roll centres?

A: Hertfordshire LEA has not banned these items although some schools have individually made that decision. Check in school with senior management and then take all reasonable precautions. If appropriate use alternatives which may include:

• Kitchen roll centres
• Wrapping paper centres
• Fabric roll centres
• Carpet roll centres
• Fax roll centres
• Bought tubes from TTS or Commotion