Design & Technology
D and T at Grange C of E School
Purpose of study
Design and technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. Using creativity and imagination, pupils 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 subject knowledge and draw on disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art. Pupils learn 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. High-quality design and technology education makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of the nation.
Intent
At our school we intend that children should master Design and Technology to such an extent that they can go on to have careers within Design and Technology and make use of design and technology effectively in their everyday lives. Our children will be taught Design and Technology in a way that ensures progression of skills, and follows a sequence to build on previous learning. Our children will gain experience and skills of a wide range of formal elements of design and concepts of technology in a way that will enhance their learning opportunities, enabling them to use design and technology across a range of subjects to be creative and solve problems, ensuring they make progress. As an ‘Artsmark’ Silver award school, we will continue to inspire our children to create, experience and participate in Art, Design and culture.
Implementation
We follow a broad and balanced Design and Technology curriculum that builds on previous learning and provides both support and challenge for learners. We follow a Design and Technology scheme based on ‘Kapow’ that ensures and progression of skills and covers all aspects of the Design and Technology curriculum.
All classes have a scheduled Design and Technology lesson each week, or on occasions, lessons can be taught alongside other curriculum subjects or in a block, depending on the topic and skill.
Key skills are revisited again and again with increasing complexity in a spiral curriculum model. We have a 3-year rolling program for our Year 3, 4 and 5 classes, this allows pupils to revise and build on their previous learning for single and mixed aged classes.
Impact
Our children enjoy and value Design and Technology and know why they are doing things, not just how. Children will understand and appreciate the value of Design and Technology in the context of their personal wellbeing and the creative and cultural industries and their many career opportunities.
Progress in Design and Technology is demonstrated through regularly reviewing and scrutinising children’s work, in accordance with our Design and Technology assessment policy to ensure that progression of skills is taking place. Namely through:
- Looking at pupils’ work, especially over time as they gain skills and knowledge
- Observing how they perform in lessons
- Talking to them about what they know.
The Design and Technology curriculum will contribute to children’s personal development in creativity, independence, judgement and self-reflection. This would be seen in them being able to talk confidently about their work, and sharing their work with others.
Progress will be shown through outcomes and through the important record of the process leading to them.
