Design and Technology

“Design and technology is a phenomenally important subject. Logical, creative and practical, it’s the only opportunity students have to apply what they learn in maths and science - directly preparing them for a career in engineering. Policy-makers must recognise design and technology’s significance for the UK economy and strive not just to preserve it – but to ensure it appeals to the brightest of young minds.”

James Dyson

"Technology makes possibilities. Design makes solutions."

John Maeda

Design and Technology is an intricate part of our every day lives and it is important that children are taught DT skills to be able to deal with our ever changing world. Using creativity and imagination, our pupils design, make and evaluate a range of products and systems in order to solve problems and learn how to be an  innovative and enterprising citizen of the future. DT gives the children opportunities to work and think as individuals, and as part of a team, supporting each other through different processes, with everyone reaching their own potential. With links to mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art we ensure this subject is inspiring and relevant to daily life and the wider world.

Design and technology gives young people the skills and abilities to engage positively with the designed and made world and to harness the benefits of technology.  They learn how products and systems are designed and manufactured, how to be innovative and to make creative use of a variety of resources including digital technologies, to improve the world around them.

The National Curriculum specifies the content that should be taught for KS1 and 2.

https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/239041/PRIMARY_national_curriculum_-_Design_and_technology.pdf

How we teach Design and Technology

We have categorised our curriculum content into five areas:

• Structures
• Mechanisms
• Electrical Systems
• Cooking and Nutrition
• Textiles

Aside from Electrical Systems, which is KS2 only, each of these acts as the focus for a topic within each year group. 

The school uses a variety of teaching and learning styles in design and technology lessons. The principal aim is to develop children’s knowledge, skills and understanding in design and technology, through having opportunity to share ideas, work as a team and learn from one another.

 Children experience opportunities within projects to explore skills and techniques before using them to design and make products.

In Years 5 and 6, children are taught DT in ongoing units across the year and also in specific DT days.

We use Kapow Primary as a basis for our teaching. This provides videos, demonstration lessons and resources for Y1-6. The content of our curriculum is based on the D  & T Association's 'Projects on a Page'.

Assessment

Assessment of pupil progress is, in the first instance, on-going by the class teacher and teaching assistants as part of formative assessment. 

An online system of assessment objectives are used to inform summative teacher assessment. This is completed on a termly basis.

Useful Links

Below are a range of different links to a range of different learning opportunities to use at home. Explore and enjoy!

General Design and Technology:

https://www.jamieoliver.com/features/category/get-kids-cooking/ - recipes for children with Jamie Oliver.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zb9d7ty 

https://central.espresso.co.uk/espresso/modules/subject/index.html?subject=862065&grade=ks1&