Design and Technology
At St Paul’s teaching and learning in Design and Technology is influenced by our school vision. We want our children to be creative and curious learners whilst gaining excellent knowledge and skills to be able to explore the world around them.
INTENT
It is our intent that our children use creativity and imagination, to evaluate, design and make products that solve problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. We intend for children to acquire appropriate subject knowledge, skills and understanding as set out in the National Curriculum. We will foster cross curricular links with other subjects, such as Mathematics, Science, Computing, and Art as part of our Curiosity Curriculum. We want Design and Technology to encourage our children to be curious and investigative about the world around them, to plan and propose solutions to problems and evaluate their effectiveness. We want children use the language of Design and Technology to be able to participate successfully in an increasingly technological and design-driven world. We want our children to have opportunities and experiences to prepare them for Key Stage Three and life beyond school.
IMPLEMENTATION
Through a variety of creative and practical activities, we teach the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to engage in a process of designing and making.
When designing and making, the children are taught to:
Design
• use research and develop design criteria to inform the design of innovative, functional, appealing products that are fit for purpose, aimed at particular individuals or groups. For example: In 'Gods and Mortals' the children consider why the wings of Icarus were not successful.
• generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through discussion, annotated sketches, cross-sectional diagrams, prototypes, pattern pieces and computer-aided design
Make
• select from and use a wider range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks (for example, cutting, shaping, joining and finishing) accurately • select from and use a wider range of materials and components, including construction materials, textiles and ingredients, according to their functional properties and aesthetic qualities Evaluate • investigate and analyse a range of existing products • evaluate their ideas and products against their own design criteria and consider the views of others to improve their work • understand how key events and individuals in design and technology have helped shape the world Technical knowledge • apply their understanding of how to strengthen, stiffen and reinforce more complex structures • understand and use mechanical systems in their products • understand and use electrical systems in their products • apply their understanding of computing to program, monitor and control their products Key skills and key knowledge for Design and Technology have been mapped across the school to ensure progression between year groups. This also ensures that there is a context for the children’s work. In Design and Technology; that they learn about real life structures and the purpose of specific examples, as well as developing their skills throughout the programme of study. Design and Technology lessons are taught as a block so that children’s learning is focused throughout each unit of work.
Knowledge and Skills Map
Design and Technology Long Term Plan
