Design & Technology

Intent: 

At Ashton St Peter’s Primary School it is our intent to provide children with a real life context for learning in our rapidly changing technological world and one which helps to prepare them for living in a world in which sustainability and the environment must be given increasing priority.

Our curriculum is structured specifically to inspire and foster creativity in designing and making and is combined with the progressive acquisition of knowledge, skills and understanding in order to design for a defined purpose and tangible outcome.  

Through our high quality Programme of Studies pupils study past and present technologies which helps them to develop a critical understanding of the impact of innovations on daily life.  Where possible they are given opportunities to: meet industry workers, execute product research, disassemble and build and make prototypes, represent ideas, explore and investigate, innovate and risk-take to help develop ideas, before making and evaluating their products.

A range of tools, resources and materials are used, including ICT, to create effectively constructed and aesthetically pleasing results. We encourage children to work both independently and in teams, to consider differing needs and to be resourceful and enterprising; building resilience in their problem solving, all of which helps to equip children for life beyond our primary school.

 

Implementation:

The school follows the National Curriculum, covering all aspects throughout the school, including: designing, making and evaluating products and cooking and nutrition. The curriculum builds on previous skills and learning using a spiral curriculum approach.  It provides both support and challenge for learners through a variety of learning styles. All aspects are taught throughout the key stages, using a blocked approach or weekly lessons over a half term . Links are made to cross-curricular topics where it is appropriate.

DT begins with exploration of existing products based on what they will be creating. Followed by examination of different materials, tools and techniques to construct with this purpose in mind. Children put this into action by designing, making and evaluating purposeful, functional and appealing products. They are taught the skills needed to implement their designs, and those needed as part of the planning and evaluation of their products. They select and use a range of tools and materials to perform practical tasks.

As they progress through the school, children use research to support the creation of a design criteria to aid the design of innovative, functional and appealing products fit for purpose. They will select and use a wider range of tools and materials, working  with more complex structures, using mechanical and electrical systems in their products.

Staff have a high level of understanding of the progression of skills needed, and the specific safety needs around using tools and techniques appropriately.

 

Impact:

Children understand and appreciate the value of Design and Technology in the context of their own lives  and the in the world around them.  It contributes to their personal development in creativity, independence, judgement and self-reflection. They develop the skills and vocabulary necessary to create their intended designs and can talk confidently about their work, evaluating, refining and improving the outcomes of their work.