DT

Intent

At St Martin’s Design and Technology is used to provide the opportunity for children to use creativity and imagination to design, and make a range of real and relevant products. Design and Technology is taught across the school, using a knowledge based curriculum that builds on prior understanding. Children are taught to select and use appropriate tools safely and effectively to make a product. They are then encouraged to consider the effectiveness of their designs, considering their own and others’ needs. Skills and knowledge are developed through food technology, woodwork, textiles and moving mechanisms, providing opportunities for cross curricular links with Mathematics, Science, Computing ant Art. We want Design and Technology to prepare our children, to give them the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences they need to be successful in later life.

Implementation

Design and Technology is an important part of school life and learning and it is for this reason that as a school we dedicated to the teaching and delivery of a high-quality Design and Technology curriculum.

This is implemented through:

-A well thought out, whole school, yearly overview of the DT curriculum in line with the National Curriculum.

-An overarching Key Question for the topic and a clear structure of questions for each lesson focus to guide discussion and assessment.

-Well planned and resourced projects providing children with a hands-on and enriching experience.

-A range of skills being taught ensuring children are aware of health and safety issues related to the tasks undertaken.

-Teachers being given ownership and flexibility to plan for Design and Technology: often teaching as a block of lessons to allow the time needed for the children to be critical, inventive and reflective on their work.

-Each project from year 1 to year 6 addresses the principlles of designing, making and evaluating and incorporating relevant technical knowledge and understanding in relevant contexts.

-Clear and appropriate cross-curricular links to underpin learning in multiple areas across the curriculum giving the children opportunities to learn life skills and apply skills to 'hands on' situations in a purposeful context.

-The process of designing, making and evaluating will be documented in DT project books.

-Pupils identified as SEND are supported, if required, within lessons to enable them to fully engage in the learning.

-Children will be asked to solve problems and develop their learning independently and collaboratively as part of a team learning to support and help one another towards a challenging goal.

-As a school, we enhance our curriculum by promoting Design and Technology in the wider school. Children have opportunities for cross-curricular learning in our Forest area. They design and build bug hotels, use the fore pit to cook and put pulleys and gears into practice. We have a Gardening club where children learn about where our food comes from by growing their own, and the importance of a balanced, healthy and varied diet and how to prepare this.

Early Years Foundation Stage

During the EYFS pupils explore and use a variety of media and materilas through a combination of child initiated and adult directed activities. They have the opportunities to learn to;

-Use different media and materials to express their own ideas.

-Use what they have learnt about media and materials in original ways, thinking about form, function and purpose.

-Make plans and construct with a purpose in mind using a variety of resources.

-Develop skills to use simple tools and techniques appropriately, effectively and safely.

-Select appropriate resources for a product and adapt their work where necessary.

-Cook and prepare food adhering to good health and hygiene routines.

Impact

Children will have clear enjoyment and confidence in Design and Technology that they will then apply to other areas of the curriculum.  Through carefully planned and implemented learning activities, the children develop creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world.  They gain a firm foundation of knowledge and skills to see them equipped to take on further learning as they progress through school and into adulthood. Pupil's skills and knowledge are assessed by the class teacher throughout the year through summative assessment. Pupil voice discussions and staff questionnaires identify areas of curriculum development and support needed.