THE LEVEL DESCRIPTIONS

In D&T the level descriptions show progression in the three aspects of:

• developing, planning and communicating ideas
• working with tools, equipment, materials and components to make quality products
• evaluating processes and products.

Knowledge and understanding supports attainment in these three aspects.

Select a level to trigger a search for pupils' work that illustrates the level.

Level 1
Pupils generate ideas and recognise characteristics of familiar products. Their plans show that, with help, they can put their ideas into practice. They use pictures and words to describe what they want to do. They explain what they are making and which tools they are using. They use tools and materials with help, where needed. They talk about their own and other people's work in simple terms and describe how a product works.

Level 2
Pupils generate ideas and plan what to do next, based on their experience of working with materials and components. They use models, pictures and words to describe their designs. They select appropriate tools, techniques and materials, explaining their choices. They use tools and assemble, join and combine materials and components in a variety of ways. They recognise what they have done well as their work progresses, and suggest things they could do better in the future.

Level 3
Pupils generate ideas and recognise that their designs have to meet a range of different needs. They make realistic plans for achieving their aims. They clarify ideas when asked and use words, labelled sketches and models to communicate the details of their designs. They think ahead about the order of their work, choosing appropriate tools, equipment, materials, components and techniques. They use tools and equipment with some accuracy to cut and shape materials and to put together components. They identify where evaluation of the design and make process and their products has led to improvements.

Level 4
Pupils generate ideas by collecting and using information. They take users' views into account and produce step-by-step plans. They communicate alternative ideas using words, labelled sketches and models, showing that they are aware of constraints. They work with a variety of materials and components with some accuracy, paying attention to quality of finish and to function. They select and work with a range of tools and equipment. They reflect on their designs as they develop, bearing in mind the way the product will be used. They identify what is working well and what could be improved.

Level 5
Pupils draw on and use various sources of information. They clarify their ideas through discussion, drawing and modelling. They use their understanding of the characteristics of familiar products when developing and communicating their own ideas. They work from their own detailed plans, modifying them where appropriate. They work with a range of tools, materials, equipment, components and processes with some precision. They check their work as it develops and modify their approach in the light of progress. They test and evaluate their products, showing that they understand the situations in which their designs will have to function and are aware of resources as a constraint. They evaluate their products and their use of information sources.

Level 6
Pupils draw on and use a range of sources of information, and show that they understand the form and function of familiar products. They make models and drawings to explore and test their design thinking, discussing their ideas with users. They produce plans that outline alternative methods of progressing and develop detailed criteria for their designs and use these to explore design proposals. They work with a range of tools, materials, equipment, components and processes and show that they understand their characteristics. They check their work as it develops and modify their approach in the light of progress. They evaluate how effectively they have used information sources, using the results of their research to inform their judgements when designing and making. They evaluate their products as they are being used, and identify ways of improving them.

Level 7
Pupils use a wide range of appropriate sources of information to develop ideas. They investigate form, function and production processes before communicating ideas, using a variety of media. They recognise the different needs of a range of users and develop fully realistic designs. They produce plans that predict the time needed to carry out the main stages of making products. They work with a range of tools, materials, equipment, components and processes, taking full account of their characteristics. They adapt their methods of manufacture to changing circumstances, providing a sound explanation for any change from the design proposal. They select appropriate techniques to evaluate how their products would perform when used and modify their products in the light of the evaluation to improve their performance.

Level 8
Pupils use a range of strategies to develop appropriate ideas, responding to information they have identified. When planning, they make decisions on materials and techniques based on their understanding of the physical properties and working characteristics of materials. They identify conflicting demands on their design, explain how their ideas address these demands and use this analysis to produce proposals. They organise their work so that they can carry out processes accurately and consistently, and use tools, equipment, materials and components with precision. They identify a broad range of criteria for evaluating their products, clearly relating their findings to the purpose for which the products were designed and the appropriate use of resources.

Exceptional performance
Pupils seek out information to help their design thinking, and recognise the needs of a variety of client groups. They are discriminating in their selection and use of information sources to support their work. They work from formal plans that make the best use of time and resources. They work with tools, equipment, materials and components to a high degree of precision. They make products that are reliable and robust and that fully meet the quality requirements given in the design proposal.