Design and Technology
Intent
At Deepcar St John’s C of E Junior School we believe that a high quality design and technology curriculum should equip children with the skills to design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values.
The aims of our Design and Technology curriculum are to ensure that all pupils:
Learn the technical knowledge and skills and associated with construction, textiles, mechanics, electricals and electronics, computing and cooking.
Design and make high-quality prototypes and products for a wide range of users
Evaluate and test their ideas and products as well as the work of others
Implementation:
All Design and Technology topics follow a design, make and evaluate pathway with many projects being cross-curricular allowing children to explore subjects at a greater depth.
Children are taught to:
Design
– use research and develop design criteria to inform the design of innovative, functional, appealing products that are fit for purpose, aimed at particular individuals or groups.
– generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through discussion, annotated sketches, cross-sectional and exploded diagrams, prototypes, pattern pieces and computer-aided design
Make
– select from and use a wider range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks accurately
– select from and use a wider range of materials and components, including construction materials, textiles and ingredients, according to 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 consider the views of others to improve their work
– understand how key events and individuals in design and technology have helped shape the world
The skills and technical knowledge of cooking and nutrition are covered every year while skills and technical knowledge associated with construction, textiles, mechanics, electricals and electronics, and computing are taught at least once during a child’s time at Deepcar St John’s. Progression of skills is based on the Chris Quigley Essentials with Lower KS2 working on Milestone 2 and Upper KS2 working on Milestone 3. Risk assessments for specific tasks are carried out by the class teacher.
Impact:
As children transition through year groups, they develop skills and knowledge that prepare them for life beyond the school environment.
Children’s work is assessed against the ‘ARE Learning’ outlined in the Medium Term Planning. These ongoing formative assessments provide evidence for a summative assessment at the end of the Autumn, Spring and Summer term.
We also measure impact through pupil voice and work scrutinies. Art and Design books, which include Design and Technology units of work, are passed up through school allowing us to see how the quality of work improves year on year. Children’s work is celebrated on displays around school and photographs are uploaded onto the school website and social media accounts.
Essential Learning Objectives:
• To master practical skills
• To design, make, evaluate and improve
• To take inspiration from design throughout history
You can find our Subject Information Booklet for Design and Technology at the bottom of this page along with the DT Policy and a Subject Information leaflet for parents
