Curriculum Intent

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. (The National Curriculum 2014)

In line with the National Curriculum Objectives for Design and Technology, our intent is 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 how to cook.

Curriculum Implementation

At St Mary’s we believe children thrive from the ability to be able to use their own ideas to design and make products first hand; problem-solving and watching their ideas take shape and then evaluating and reflecting on that process. As a school we use the Projects on a Page resource to support our scheme of work, which allows the children to explore and develop these skills through creative projects and the iterative process of designing and making. These projects take place either as part of the overall year group topic or are taught as stand-alone units. Some DT units are block taught to streamline the use of equipment and to support children in developing the depth and breadth of their Design and Technology skills.

Design and Technology Skills, Knowledge and Understanding
The pupils of St Mary’s are taught the key Design and Technology skills and understanding of design, make, evaluate and technical knowledge through a variety of creative and practical activities incorporating a range of contexts.

Key Stage 1

DESIGN

• Design purposeful, functional, appealing products for themselves and other users based on design criteria
• Make, develop, model and communicate their ideas through talking, drawing, templates, mock-ups and ICT.

MAKE

• Select from and use a range of tools and equipment to complete practical tasks.
• Select from and use a wide range of materials and components.

EVALUATE

• Explore and evaluate a range of existing products.

• Evaluate their ideas and products against design criteria.

TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE

• Build structures exploring how they can be better constructed.

• Exploring and using mechanisms such as levers, sliders, wheels and axles in their products.

 

Key Stage 2

DESIGN

• Use research and develop their design criteria to inform the design of purposeful, functional, appealing products for themselves and other users based on design criteria
• Generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through discussion, labelled drawings, detailed diagrams, prototypes, pattern pieces and ICT.

MAKE

• Select from and use a wide range of tools and equipment to complete practical tasks accurately.
• Select from and use a wide range of materials and components; thinking about their functional properties and aesthetic qualities.

EVALUATE

• Investigate and analyse a range of existing products.

• Evaluate their ideas and products against their own design criteria and use the views of others to help in the improvement of their work.

• Understand the impact that key individuals and events have had on our world.

TECHNICAL KNOWLEDGE

• Apply their understanding of how to construct and strengthen more complex structures.

• Understand and use mechanical systems in their products such as levers, gears, pulleys, cams and linkages.

• Understand and use electrical systems in their products.

• Apply their understanding of computing to program, monitor and control their products.

COOKING AND NUTRITION

At St Mary’s we believe cooking and nutrition is a key life skill that will enable the pupils of our school to be equipped with the ability prepare and cook a variety of dishes using a range of cooking techniques. This area of the Design and Technology syllabus also gives the children the opportunity to be taught how to apply the concepts of nutrition and healthy eating and furthermore understand seasonality and food provenance.

EYFS

Physical Development

• Children learn to develop their small motor skills so that they can use a range of tools, such as scissors competently, safely and confidently.

Expressive Arts and Design

• Children are encouraged to develop the ability to return to and build on their previous learning, refining ideas and developing their ability to represent them.

• They are given opportunities to create collaboratively, sharing ideas, resources and skills.

• Through creative and design activities the children are given the opportunity to safely use and explore a variety of materials, tools and techniques, experimenting with colour, design, texture, shape and function.