Our Subject Leader for  Design and Technology is Mrs Mackellar.

Intent

Design and Technology prepares children to take part in the development of today’s rapidly changing world.  We aim for our children to understand that design and technology skills are essential to everyday life and that finding solutions to problems is achieved by having the confidence to take risks and work both independently and collaboratively. Using creativity and imagination, our children 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 knowledge and draw on disciplines such as science, engineering, mathematics, art and computing

Creative thinking encourages children to make positive changes to their own and others quality of life. Through the D&T curriculum children are taught to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and to develop the all-important communication skills. We give children opportunities to combine practical skills with an understanding of aesthetic, social and environmental issues, as well as functions and industrial practices. They reflect on and evaluate the uses and impact of present and past technology in order to grow as informed and discriminating consumers and potential innovators. 

Implementation

Our Design and Technology curriculum is designed to meet the key skills, knowledge and understanding required by the National Curriculum, which is then planned to ensure that the skills are taught sequentially across the key stages and that new skills build on and develop the skills taught in previous year groups.

Children have time to evaluate their design and end product against the design specification.  Critical evaluation confirms whether the product is fit for its purpose and responds to the requirements of the user. Children are encouraged to ask questions and reflect on constructive feedback from others in order to improve their work.

Lessons are planned in learning blocks within each term’s topic, so that knowledge and skills can be reinforced in meaningful contexts

Impact

Our children acquire a wide range of subject specific knowledge and skills drawing on disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art. They know 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.  We liaise with parents regularly so that they are aware of what the children are learning. Children are prepared with skills that are transferable into future work life. Pupil’s voice is used to further develop the design and technology curriculum and ensure pupils remain motivated. This is achieved through questioning, measuring attitudes towards D.T, and assessing the children’s enjoyment of the lessons.