Design Technology

Intent

Pupils throughout our school should be able to PLAN, DO and REVIEW a range of INTERESTING, RELEVANT and inspiring DT projects.  They will be able to think of and explain ideas, use tools and materials effectively and analyse and explain the successes and failures of their designs.  We want design to be purposeful and relevant e.g. designing for a real-life problem e.g. how to make a functional den in Nature Land; an insect den for their garden; organise food for a class picnic or bring and buy sale; design and “sell” healthy food  etc. DT skills will be nurtured from nursery onwards and we aim to encourage a love of DT and food tech by encouraging partnerships with parents with design/FT expertise and regular opportunities for children to grow, prepare and cook food for each other and their parents. No child will leave our primary school without the basic life skills necessary in cooking.

Implementation

DT will be taught in blocks and children will follow a clear PLAN, DO, REVIEW cycle – enabling them to critically evaluate their products against design criteria.  There will be a key skills and knowledge progression in sewing/textiles; cooking and nutrition; electrical and mechanical components and using materials.  The children will gain build technical knowledge and vocabulary through carefully progressing skills by year group.

We will encourage group/team work in DT projects and will endeavour to build cross-school projects where younger and older children can work together and learn from each other e.g. Year One building insect houses with nursery.

DT is a practical skill and we will make DT projects relevant to the lives of the children and the context of school. We will also invite makers from our school community to share their skills with us and help inspire the children in DT.

Impact

Children will see themselves as capable of designing, making and solving practical problems.

They will be able to use appropriate tools effectively and safely. They will develop a range of technical skills. They will be able to manage risks. They will understand the importance of user’s needs and will be able to determine these through questioning. They will apply mathematical knowledge to their projects. Children will be able to work independently on projects and collaboratively and will have developed the skills to be able to PLAN, DO and REVIEW their own designs from concept to construction.

All children will have a good understanding of the importance of healthy eating and knowledge of GYO food from experience in our school allotment.  They will be able to prepare some foods independently.