Design Technology

Our design and technology curriculum is focused on the five key areas of: textiles, structures, mechanisms, electrical systems and food. Each unit gives children the opportunity to explore and evaluate a range of successful products and innovations and be inspired by engineers, designers, chefs and architects before designing, making and evaluating their own project which has a real-life purpose. Our design and technology curriculum allows our children to develop their creativity, communication and problem solving skills- which we recognise will be extremely important in preparing them for the future.

Intent 

EYFS follow the EYFS Framework and Development Matters and KS1 and KS2 follow the National Curriculum. Our design and technology curriculum focuses on the five key areas of: textiles, structures, mechanisms, electrical systems and food. 

Our Design and Technology curriculum encourages children to think and work creatively to solve problems both as individuals and as members of a team.

Implementation

In Reception DT is woven throughout the 9 areas of learning. 
For years 1-6, lessons are structured using prior learning, revisits and new learning. 
Prior learning: to check that children have embedded knowledge from the previous learning, often from a previous year.
Revisits: recapping knowledge and skills, and addressing misconceptions from recent lessons within the current unit.
New learning: introducing new concepts, skills and knowledge. 

When designing and making, the children are taught to:

Design:

• use research to develop a criteria to inform the design of a functional, appealing product that is fit for purpose.
• generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas.
• Make:
• select from and use a wider range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks.
• select from and use a wider range of materials, ingredients and components.

Evaluate:

• investigate and analyse a range of existing products.
• evaluate their ideas and products against their own design criteria and consider the views of others to improve their work.
• understand how key events and individuals in design and technology have helped shape the world.

Technical knowledge:

• apply their understanding of how to strengthen, stiffen and reinforce more complex structures.
• understand and use mechanical systems in their products.
• understand and use electrical systems in their products.
• understand some of the ways that food can be processed and the effect of different cooking practises

Impact

• Live feedback in lessons informs future planning.
• Targeted questioning throughout lessons.
• Prior learning questions are completed at the beginning of lessons to assess learning from previous year/years.
• Ongoing assessment at the end of each lesson is used as a basis for support for following lessons. This information is then passed on to future teachers.