Design and Technology
All children will be given the opportunity to:
- Develop a critical awareness of the “made” and natural world, of the environment and of different cultures and times.
- Promote an understanding of the potential of and an expertise in those activities, which are involved in designing and making.
- Foster curiosity, ingenuity and imagination through personal involvement with ideas and materials.
- Be aware that aspects of design and technology can determine forms, content and appearance of the “made” and natural world.
- Encourage the special aptitudes and interests of the individual.
- Increase children’s understanding of physical, social, emotional, intellectual and aesthetic needs of people, which change throughout life.
- Develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and safely so that they can participate successfully in an increasingly technological world
- Build and apply a repertoire of knowledge, understanding and skills in order to design and make high-quality prototypes and products for a wide range of users
- Critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products and the work of others
- Understand and apply the principles of nutrition and learn how to cook.
Curriculum Impact
1) High quality Outcomes – The large majority of our children, across all year groups, are competent in the Design and Technology tasks that they are set and they gain and, in some cases, master a range of differing skills, as shown by:
- Class Teachers’ DT assessments, which are analysed by Subject Leaders
- Observations carried out by Subject Leaders and SLT
- High quality finished products – seen around School or photographed and kept in portfolios
2) Our pupils become confident, skilful learners when they leave our school, which is often commented on by staff in the schools they move on to.
3) Our pupils are well prepared for life in Modern Britain and they continue to do well in the next stage of their education.
Design and Technology is a foundation subject in the National Curriculum. We have recently invested in the Kapow scheme of work which is taught across all year groups. The scheme allows full National Curriculum coverage and has clear progression to develop skills and knowledge in the subject. Through the use of engaging and knowledge- rich lessons, each year group can complete projects over a 4-week block. D&T blocks of lessons are alternated with Art and Design blocks of lessons.
The subject coordinator provides a long-term planning overview and curriculum map to show how Design and Technology is taught across the school. A progression map of skills and vocabulary is also provided. Class teachers follow the long-term overview designed by the Design and Technology coordinator and Art and Design coordinator. Teachers then use the short-term plans provided by Kapow to teach and deliver each block of lessons, whilst adapting them, where necessary, to suit the needs of individuals.
Design and Technology is divided into the following categories:
-Cooking and Nutrition
-Textiles
-Mechanisms
-Structures
-Electrical Systems (KS2 only)
The Design and Technology units for each year band, which cover all of the categories progressively through Kapow, are listed below:
- Year 1: Fruit and Vegetables, Making a moving story book, Constructing a windmill, Puppets and Wheels and Axels.
- Year 2: A balanced diet, Fairground wheel, Making a Moving Monster, Baby Bear’s Chair and Textile pouches.
- Year 3: Egyptian Collars- Cross stitch and Applique, Electric posters, Pneumatic Toys, Constructing a Castle and Eating seasonally.
- Year 4: Torches, Slingshot cars, Adapting a recipe, Fastenings and Pavilions.
The Year 4 children also have planned cooking and nutrition sessions through the ‘Adopt a School Programme’ which are led by “Savoy Chef” Idris Caldora one morning each term.