Design and Technology

"Design is not just what it looks like design is how it works"
 

- Steve Jobs

Purpose of study

Design and technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. Using creativity and imagination, pupils design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. They acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art. Pupils 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.

Aims

The national curriculum for design and technology aims to ensure that all pupils:

• develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to 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

Intent

Our school is aligned with the National Curriculum for the direction and teaching of Design and Technology. We aim to create a knowledge rich curriculum which will develop the children’s skills to design and make products within a variety of contexts. We want our children to acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art. We encourage the children to take risks becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens. We intend our curriculum to ignite the children’s passion to reflect on how D&T contributes to the world around us and its impact on daily life. Our school uses the National Curriculum and EYFS Curriculum for directing the teaching of DT.

Implementation

Our school will implement a clear and comprehensive progression of knowledge as outlined in the National Curriculum whilst also ensuring the children develop an awareness of supporting key language as they progress through the school. Planning and delivery is supported with resources from Kapow - where applicable links to DT will be made to develop effective learning experiences. Knowledge is developed throughout the year and linked to learning across the curriculum. From Year 1 upwards, Design and Technology is taught 3 times a year, in weekly lessons which enables children to reflect upon a project progressively and modify their plans during every stage of the designing process. Skills and prior knowledge are built upon and revisited throughout the school and this enables children to develop a mastery approach to DT.

Impact

Through our carefully structured curriculum and high quality teaching, we expect the outcomes to be effective. We expect children to retain the knowledge learnt about their focus brief  for each unit of work, remember their knowledge and understand how to use it and apply the skills demonstrated in their own design and application. This will enable children to succeed and achieve their age related expectations. As designers, children are encouraged to be resilient and persevere as they evaluate and improve their own work. We value the child’s voice through reflection of learning and feedback to help them develop and progress further. Children develop skills and qualities they can use beyond St Michael’s and into future lives making an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of the nation.