Intent of our Design & Technology Curriculum
We value the development of the whole child. Our children are not just learners – they are explorers, investigators, enthusiasts, performers, decision makers, contributors, creators, role models, members of society, and ultimately the future of our community and the world beyond it. We aim to provide potential pathways for our children’s way forward in the world, regardless of personal circumstance. In Design Technology, we relish shaping the manufacturers and entrepreneurs of the future! We ignite pupils’ curiosity and fascination with the design and development, construction and evaluation of products undertaken by themselves and ones in the wider world.
We encourage our students to think, act and speak like those working in this field would: to research thoroughly, to weigh-up evidence, to understand what a need for a product is, to evaluate interpretations and develop arguments: skills which are invaluable to their future lives in education and beyond. Our carefully structured DT curriculum provides opportunities additional to the NC endpoints, to build cultural capital and, through exposure DT lessons to life-skills such as innovation and entrepreneurship, enable pupils to become well-rounded members of society in preparation for later life.
Aims:
- Significant levels of originality and the willingness to take creative risks to produce innovative ideas and prototypes.
- An excellent attitude to learning and independent working.
- The ability to use time efficiently and work constructively and productively with others.
- The ability to carry out thorough research, show initiative and ask questions to develop an exceptionally detailed knowledge of users’ needs.
- The ability to act as responsible designers and makers, working ethically, using finite materials carefully and working safely.
- A thorough knowledge of which tools, equipment and materials to use to make their products.
- The ability to apply mathematical knowledge.
- The ability to manage risks exceptionally well to manufacture products safely and hygienically.
- A passion for the subject and knowledge of, up-to-date technological innovations in materials, products and systems.
Through our in-depth and carefully sequenced lessons, pupils’ design, construction and evaluative skills and concepts are transferable to whichever area of DT is being studied and will equip pupils for both their future learning and future life.
These key Design Technology skills and concepts are:
- Master practical skills
- Design, make, evaluate and improve
- Take inspiration from designs through history
Implementation of Design & Technology
All learning will start with revisiting prior knowledge and making meaningful connections. Staff will model explicitly the subject-specific vocabulary, knowledge and skills relevant to the learning to allow them to integrate new knowledge into larger concepts. Teachers will use images and models to enhance learning. Subject specific vocabulary is displayed on displays along with key facts, questions and model exemplars of the work being taught. Design and Technology assessment is ongoing throughout the relevant cross-curricular themes to inform teachers with their planning for lesson activities and differentiation. Summative assessment is completed at the end of each topic where design and technology objectives have been covered. Our designers will be given a variety of experiences, both in and out of the classroom, where they are able to create memorable learning opportunities to further support and develop their understanding.
Impact of Design & Technology
At St Alban & St Stephen Catholic Primary School, ‘pupil voice’ shows that pupils are confident and able to talk about what they have learnt in design and technology using subject specific vocabulary. Pupil voice also demonstrates that pupils enjoy design and technology and are able to recall their learning over time. Pupils’ work demonstrates that Design and Technology is taught at an age appropriate standard across each year group, with sufficient challenge and opportunities to work at greater depth.
Our pupils leave St Alban & St Stephen Catholic Primary School with the knowledge to think, speak and act like a designer, a constructor and evaluator, and they value the transference of these skills into their everyday life, in education and beyond.