Design & Technology Curriculum, Intent, Implementation and Impact

We aim to create

Innovative, Critical, Designers

Intent

Design and technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. It encourages children to learn to think and intervene creatively to solve problems both as individuals and as members of a team. At St Chad’s, we encourage children to use their creativity and imagination, to design and make products that solve real problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs. We aim, wherever possible to link work to other disciplines such as science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics (STEAM). D&T involves thinking about what products are used for and the needs of those who use them. A good D&T activity has to have sufficient depth and breadth to enable children to learn practical skills and provide them with the knowledge to make products that move/light up/are structurally sound and don’t collapse/ are safe and healthy. Children will be given opportunities to test, refine and develop the products they design and make to check that they work and improve them if they don’t. Becoming proficient in these skills will enable our children to confidently solve real life problems throughout their daily lives at home and at school.

Implementation

Through a variety of creative and practical activities, we teach the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to engage in the process of designing and making. Key skills and knowledge for Design and Technology have been mapped across the school to ensure progression between year groups. Where possible, the projects make links to their History, Geography, Art and Science topics. This ensures there is a context for the children’s work in Design and Technology.

When designing and making, the children are taught to:

       

Design

They will design innovative, functional, appealing products that are fit for purpose, aimed at particular individuals or groups. The children will generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through discussion, annotated sketches, cross-sectional diagrams, prototypes and pattern pieces.

Make

During the make process the children will select from and use a wider range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks (for example, cutting, shaping, joining and finishing) accurately. They will also have practice using a wide range of materials, which are suitable for their design.

Evaluate

An important part of the D&T process is the evaluation of what they have made. The children will evaluate their ideas and products against their own design criteria and consider the views of others to improve their work. Alongside this they will learn about key events and individuals in design and technology which have helped shape the world.

Technical knowledge

The children will have opportunities to apply their knowledge of how to strengthen, stiffen and reinforce structures of increasing complexity. They will understand and use mechanical, electrical and computerised systems in their products.

Cooking

Across the school, children have regular opportunities to cook, making dishes linked to their learning in a variety of subjects.  They learn about the basic principles of a healthy and varied diet to prepare dishes. They will know where food comes from, understand seasonality, and know where and how a variety of ingredients are grown, reared, caught and processed. With support, they will safely prepare and cook a range of dishes using a variety of techniques.

Impact

We ensure that our children develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world. Our approach to identifying and teaching ‘Sticky Knowledge’ helps ensure they retain the key ideas and skills we teach in each unit. They will be able to build and apply this repertoire of knowledge, understanding and skills in order to design and make high-quality prototypes and products for a wide range of users and evaluate and test their ideas and products, learning from mistakes. They will leave our school understanding and applying the principles of nutrition and knowing how to safely cook a variety of dishes. Finally, engaging in our Design and Technology Curriculum will teach our children to take risks, become resourceful and innovative.