Design Technology
Subject Leader - Mrs Summers
Intent
At Banks Road Primary school, our Design and Technology curriculum is designed to prepare children for the developing world. The subject encourages children to become creative problem-solvers, both as individuals and as part of a team. We encourage children to use creativity and imagination to design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts. Design and Technology allows children to apply the knowledge and skills learned in other subjects which gives them motivation and meaning to their learning. Where possible, we aim to link our designs to our current learning such as through our Read to Write unit, Maths, Art, Science and History. The children are also given the opportunity to evaluate past and present designs, its uses and its effectiveness and are encouraged to become innovators and risk-takers. Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, the children develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world.
As well as designing, making and evaluating products, pupils will be taught cooking and nutrition. One of the priorities for Banks Road this year is to embed a culture of positive health and wellbeing across the school. This coincides with the teaching of cooking and nutrition as it allows the children to learn the importance of a healthy and balanced diet. We believe that instilling a love of cooking in pupils will enable them to creatively become independent.
Intent
At Banks Road Primary school, our Design and Technology curriculum is designed to prepare children for the developing world. The subject encourages children to become creative problem-solvers, both as individuals and as part of a team. We encourage children to use creativity and imagination to design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts. Design and Technology allows children to apply the knowledge and skills learned in other subjects which gives them motivation and meaning to their learning. Where possible, we aim to link our designs to our current learning such as through our Read to Write unit, Maths, Art, Science and History. The children are also given the opportunity to evaluate past and present designs, its uses and its effectiveness and are encouraged to become innovators and risk-takers. Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, the children develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world.
As well as designing, making and evaluating products, pupils will be taught cooking and nutrition. One of the priorities for Banks Road this year is to embed a culture of positive health and wellbeing across the school. This coincides with the teaching of cooking and nutrition as it allows the children to learn the importance of a healthy and balanced diet. We believe that instilling a love of cooking in pupils will enable them to creatively become independent.
Implementation
Here at Banks Road Primary School, we teach the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to engage in the process of designing and making. Whilst planning is guided by the DT Association ‘Projects on a Page’ schemes of work, this is adapted to the particular needs and requirements of our children ensuring the National Curriculum is followed. We ensure that the design and technology projects are completed with a clear structure. This ensures that skills and knowledge are built on year by year and sequenced appropriately to maximise learning for all children. Each year group will undertake a construction topic, a textile topic and a food/drink topic which is taught as a block so that children’s learning is focused throughout each unit of work.
Key skills and knowledge for Design and Technology have been mapped across the school to ensure clear progression through the year groups. Key concepts and technical vocabulary are also included in planning which follows an overall design, make and evaluate structure. At Banks Road Primary School, we also ensure that children are aware of the health and safety issues related to the tasks undertaken.
When designing and making, the children are taught to:
Design
using research and developing design criteria to inform the design of innovative, functional, appealing products that are fit for purpose, aimed at particular individuals or groups
by generating, developing, modelling and communicating their ideas through discussion, annotated sketches, cross-sectional diagrams, prototypes, pattern pieces and computer-aided design
Make
selecting from and using a wider range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks (for example, cutting, shaping, joining and finishing) accurately
selecting from and using a wider range of materials and components, including construction materials, textiles and ingredients, according to their functional properties and aesthetic qualities
Evaluate
by investigating and analysing a range of existing products
evaluating their ideas and products against their own design criteria and consider the views of others to improve their work
understanding how key events and individuals in design and technology have helped shape the world
Technical knowledge
applying their understanding of how to strengthen, stiffen and reinforce more complex structures
understanding and using mechanical systems in their products
understanding and using electrical systems in their products
applying their understanding of computing to program, monitor and control their products.
Impact
At Banks Road Primary School, we believe that teaching pupils how to design, make and evaluate products in a creative and practical way, will allow them to develop skills and attributes they can use beyond school life. High-quality design and technology education makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of the nation.
We measure the impact of our curriculum through the following methods:
Pupil Voice – Interviewing children about their learning.
Marking work in books.
Summative assessment of pupil discussions about their learning.
Images of the children’s work and practical learning.
Design Technology will also be monitored by the subject leader throughout the year in the form of book monitoring, looking at outcomes and pupil interviews to discuss their learning and understanding and establishing the impact of the teaching taking place.
World Book Day - The Planning of the Moving Story Book
World Book Day - The finished Story Book
