Design Technology

Intent

When a child leaves this school, we want them to use creativity and imagination to design and make products within a variety of contexts. Pupils will grow in self-belief, learning how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens. Through the evaluation of past and present design technology they will develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world. They will develop resilience to work through problems to find solutions. Children will evaluate each other’s work, celebrating everyone's achievements. D&T allows children to apply the knowledge and skills learned in other subjects, particularly Maths, Science and Art. They will learn basic cooking techniques and understand that this is a crucial life skill. They will know how to prepare a healthy and varied diet and know where food comes from.  

Implementation

D&T is usually taught in in short blocks. We teach the National Curriculum, supported by a clear skills and knowledge progression. We draw ideas from the Kapow curriculum, ensuring key skills and progression are covered. This means that skills and knowledge are built on year by year and sequenced appropriately to maximise learning for all children. All teaching of DT follows the design, make and evaluate cycle. The design process should be rooted in real life, relevant contexts to give meaning to learning. Children learn to evaluate their own products against design criteria. We follow a spiral curriculum, covering and revisiting units such as Textiles, Mechanisms, Structures, Electrical Systems, Cooking and Nutrition and Digital World. Each year group will have the opportunity to work with our school cook during their Cooking and Nutrition topic. 

Impact
Through involvement with the design process we hope that the children will develop:
∙ An excellent attitude to learning and the ability to use time efficiently. 
∙ The ability to independently work constructively and productively as well as with others. 
∙ The ability to research, show initiative and ask questions to support their problem solving.
∙ The ability to act as responsible designers and makers, working ethically, carefully and safely.
∙ A knowledge of tools, equipment and material. 
∙ The ability to apply mathematical knowledge and skills accurately. 
∙ A passion for the subject.