Intent

What are we trying to achieve?

The starting point for Design and Technology is the children. We believe that literacy and language form the basis of all learning and from this children develop Design and Technology knowledge and skills through a connected and language rich curriculum.

Design and Technology at St Benedict’s Primary school enables children of all abilities to express creativity, problem solving and practical skills within a range of subject disciplines. Children will build upon prior knowledge, skills and experiences and acquire new skills and attributes and apply them both independently and collaboratively in a range of contexts.  Design and Technology will equip children with the necessary skills to meet their own needs in an evolving world.

We aim for our children to be; successful learners, responsible and rights respecting citizens and confident individuals.
 

Implementation

How do we organise this?

Our Design and Technology curriculum uses the 2014 National Curriculum as our learning framework. The Cornerstones Curriculum breaks down the National Curriculum Programmes of Study into a progressive programme of learning through challenging Imaginative Learning Projects.

Our curriculum enables children to learn about Design and Technology in a cross curricular way; ILP’s set Design and Technology in context with other areas such as History and Science, enabling learning to take place in a variety of ways.

Design and Technology is introduced to the children using an engaging experience or stimulus for the start of the learning. Skills are developed in a creative way and children work towards completing an innovative challenge at the end of the topic, and answer the ‘The Big Question’ that has been set.  Children are increasingly challenged throughout the year groups and phases. Some of the Imaginative Learning Projects have Design and Technology as their main focus and these include; Towers, Tunnels and Turrets (Year 2), Scrumdidlyumptious (Year 3), Traders and Raiders (Year 4). All other ILPs may have a specific DT element and where this is not the case stand-alone lessons will be delivered to make sure there is coverage.

In the EYFS Design and Technology is delivered through Expressive, Arts and Design strand of Development Matters. This is accessed through continuous provision as children have opportunities to freely explore a range media, tools and resources in creative ways. Children engage in activities such as creating models, collage and junk modelling.

Design and Technology is an open ended subject and can be accessed by learners of all abilities making it inclusive. It is a unique and ever evolving subject that allows children to develop skills beyond the subject. Through Design and Technology projects children acquire independence and develop confidence and a willingness to try. Exposure to real problem tasks enable children to become problem solvers, design and technical thinkers, decision makers and resilient. They also gain essential communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively.

Impact

How do we know it is successful?

Design and Technology curriculum is monitored half termly or termly in order to check provision and reflect on practice. Evidence is gathered from children work samples, planning, pupil voice, observations and learning walks. This ensures that children’s progress in skills and knowledge can be tracked and feedback can be provided to move practice forward.

Through monitoring, subject leaders will reflect on pupil voice, skills and knowledge acquired by children and their ability to use and apply subject specific vocabulary in order to build a picture of the progression of DT across the school. The progression of skills can be seen from Early Years to Key stage 2. In Early Years children explore and use media in creative ways and begin to use tools and material to build with a purpose.

In Key Stage 1 and 2 children are planning and designing products with a purpose or user in mind. They are acquiring and applying knowledge and skills in a variety of contexts. Children then manufacture, review and evaluate their product.

Design & Technology Curriculum Overview

Design & Technology Progression
Knowledge & Skills Builder - Cooking
Knowledge & Skills Builder - Design
Knowledge & Skills Builder - Evaluate
Knowledge & Skills Builder - Make
Knowledge & Skills Builder - Technical Knowledge