Intent:
At Albourne Primary School we intend to build a Design Technology curriculum which is inspiring, rigorous, and practical. We want our children to use creativity and imagination, 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. It is a subject that encourages children to ‘learn to think’ creatively to solve practical problems both as individuals and through teamwork. We intend for all children to acquire appropriate subject knowledge, skills and understanding as set out in the National Curriculum. It is our aim to create strong cross curricular links with other subjects, such as Mathematics, Science, Computing, and 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 a crucial part of school life and learning and it is for this reason that as a school we are dedicated to the teaching and delivery of a high-quality Design and Technology curriculum. This is implemented through:
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A well thought out, whole school, yearly overview of the DT curriculum which allows for progression across year groups in all areas of DT (textiles, mechanisms, structures, food and electrical systems)
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Teachers are given ownership and flexibility to plan for Design and Technology; often teaching DT as a block of lessons to allow the time needed for the children to be able to design, make and evaluate (incorporating relevant technical knowledge). Some lessons are delivered using an existing scheme of work which teachers adapt as needed.
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A range of skills being taught ensuring that children are aware of health and safety issues related to the tasks undertaken
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Pupils are introduced to specific designers, chefs, nutritionists, etc. helping to engender an appreciation of human creativity and achievement and increase the cultural capital from which they can draw in the future.
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Units on nutrition are taught ensuring that children have a growing understanding of where food comes from, its seasonality and the need for a healthy and varied diet.
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We will continue to develop our links with the other schools within the Trust, sharing resources, skills and ideas.
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 pupils develop the 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 move through the school and into KS3. They get to evaluate and considered improvements in their designs, linking their ideas to real life situations. The curriculum lead for DT will review planning and lessons, they will speak to the children and gather evidence of the progression through the years.