DT
“Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.” –Steve Jobs
Intent
At St James CE Primary School, we intend Design and Technology to be creative and practical. The curriculum provides children with the opportunity to problem solve and develop their own creative ideas as individuals and as part of a team. We aim to provide our children with the opportunity to use their imagination to design, use tools safely and make products within a variety of contexts, to provide motivation and meaning to their learning. Evaluating and 'having a voice' is a fundamental part of the design process which is embedded throughout. Before designing and making a product, children evaluate existing products and evaluate their own at the end, allowing children to adapt and improve their product, a key skill which they will need throughout their life.
Children will be taught a range of topics including; mechanisms, textiles, food technology, structures, and electrical systems (in Key Stage 2). Our Design and Technology curriculum allows children to apply knowledge and skills learned in other subjects, particularly Maths, Science, Art and History, which we aim to link, wherever possible. At St James’ through hands-on, practical experiences we aim for children to leave Year 6 with good knowledge and skills of DT which will inspire children to be chefs, engineers, sculptures, carpenters, designers and architects. We recognise the important role of DT in preparing our children with skills for life which will enable them to reach their full potential.
The intent of our food technology curriculum is to apply the principles of nutrition and healthy eating, instilling a love of cooking in all children. Learning how to cook is a crucial life skill for children now and in later life. Throughout their time at St James’, we aim to encourage independent learning through practical participation.
Implementation
Children in the Early Years are encouraged to explore and use a range of media and materials whilst also developing their creativity, imagination and critical thinking. This the foundation on which learning is developed throughout the school. Children in Early Years engage with Design & Technology activities throughout the areas of provision. Children are encouraged to safely use and explore a variety of materials, tools and techniques. They are also encouraged to experiment with colour, texture, design and function. Some of the provision includes clay, playdough, woodwork, junk modelling and painting.
In Key stage 1 & 2 we enhance the teaching of Design and Technology using a scheme ‘Plan bee’ which offers termly units for children to engage in. Our Design and Technology Curriculum is high quality, well thought out and is planned to demonstrate progression year on year, giving pupils the skills, knowledge and vocabulary that they need to move forward in their learning. Children are given opportunities to apply their knowledge to different situations. The teaching of D.T follows the design, make and evaluate cycle. The design process is rooted in real life, relevant contexts to give meaning to learning. While making, children are given choice and a range of tools to choose freely from. When evaluating, children evaluate existing products and evaluate their own products against a design criteria at the end of the process, using this to adapt and improve their product. |