Design Technology

Intent

The Design and Technology curriculum has been carefully built to ensure progression in terms of embedding key learning, knowledge and skills.  Initially, pupils take inspiration from existing designs to help generate ideas for design. They explore and practice the practical skills involved in the topic and then design, make, evaluate and refine their final products. This approach is taken for every design technology topic. Design and Technology is now evidenced in Design and Technology Books to enable a clear progression of skill throughout a topic. To support the development of this subject we have chosen to follow the Kapow scheme of work, supported by Projects on a Page, which are both endorsed by the Design and Technology Association. At St. Bernadette’s it is our aim to build and apply a repertoire of technical knowledge, understanding and skills (drawing on disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing, art, textiles and cooking) in order to design, make and evaluate a wide variety of high-quality prototypes and products based on the principles: user, purpose, functionality, design decisions, innovation and authenticity. Through this inspiring, rigorous and practical subject, children will gain the expertise to take risks, and become resourceful, enterprising and capable citizens needed to excel in an increasingly technological world. We want our children to be able to identify real and relevant problems, critically evaluate existing products and then take risks and innovate when designing and creating solutions to these problems. Through this we intend to show the real impact of design and technology on the wider world around us and help to inspire our children to become the next generation of innovators.

Implementation

During D&T lessons, technical skills are carefully demonstrated and modelled first, then with encouragement, scaffolds and peer-collaboration, children can subsequently explore and practice this themselves. We teach children to work collaboratively, use trial and error and then reflect on those experiences; focusing on the process of the project, as well as the finished product. Each term we have dedicated a Design and Technology Week to allow pupils to become fully immersed in the design process and see their projects through from start to finish. Throughout the year the Design and Technology curriculum may also be enriched through visits or visitors to our school to show the children how designers, engineers and inventors build and shape our world.

Through a variety of creative and practical activities, we teach the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to engage in an iterative process of designing and making. This allows for the revision of ideas to become part of good practice and ultimately helps to build a depth to children’s understanding. The children design and create products that consider function and purpose and which are relevant to a range of sectors. We do this through a clear and comprehensive scheme of work in line with the National Curriculum. The Design Technology National Curriculum and EYFS is planned for and covered in full within the EYFS, KS1 and KS2 school curriculum. Whilst the EYFS and National Curriculum forms the foundation of our curriculum, we make sure that children learn additional skills, knowledge and understanding and enhance our curriculum as and when necessary. We deliver Design and Technology projects with a clear structure, each key stage will undertake a construction topic, a textiles topic and cooking and nutrition topic. The promotion of a language rich Design Technology curriculum is essential to the successful acquisition of knowledge and understanding in Design Technology. The promotion and use of an accurate and rich vocabulary throughout school is planned in Design Technology. The use of basic skills such as English, Maths and ICT skills are taught during discrete lessons but are revisited in Design Technology so children can apply and embed the skills they have learnt in a purposeful context. Independent learning & working collaboratively in Design and Technology are considered vital skills. Children may well be asked to solve problems and develop their learning independently. This allows the children to have ownership over their curriculum and lead their own learning in Design and Technology. They may also be asked to work as part of a team learning to help and support each other towards a challenging yet rewarding goal.

Impact

In our Design and Technology Books we will see clear progression of skills across each year group. Ultimately children at St. Bernadette’s will know more, remember more and understand more about Design and Technology. As designers, children will develop skills and attributes they are able to use beyond school and into adulthood. The learning environment across the school will be more consistent with Design and Technology technical vocabulary displayed, spoken and used by all learners and staff. The majority of children will achieve age related expectations in Design and Technology. Children will learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens. Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, they develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world. High-quality design and technology education makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of the nation and our pupils

CURRICULUM OVERVIEW

LONG TERM PROGRESSION SKILLS

LONG TERM PROGRESSION ~ KNOWLEDGE

Page Coming Soon…