Curriculum - Design & Technology
Design and Technology Intent
At St Stephen’s CE Primary School, we value Design and technology as an important part of the children’s entitlement to a broad and balanced curriculum where they are able to let their light shine through their God given gifts. 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. 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 cross-curricular links, where possible, with other subjects, such as Mathematics, Science, Computing, and Art. Design and Technology will prepare our children, give them the opportunities, responsibilities, and experiences they need to be successful in later life.
Design and Technology Implementation
Design and Technology is implemented throughout school. DT is taught once a term across year groups in units of work. These units are well planned and resourced proving hands on and enriching experiences for the children. Each unit from Year 1 to Year 6 address the principles of designing, making, and evaluating and incorporating relevant technical knowledge and understanding in relevant contexts. Throughout all of the units, children are taught the coinciding health and safety information. Children cover mechanisms, textiles, structure, electrical components and cooking. Children meet each of the key areas more than once over the year groups so skills can be built on and developed. Cooking is covered in every year group, as it is definitely a very important life skill that everyone will require later in life. Within early years, children begin their DT journey linked to various topics and interests over the year.
Design and Technology 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 in secondary school. Pupil’s skills and knowledge are assessed continuously during lessons by the class teacher. At the end of each unit, children will be assessed as to whether they are working towards, at expected or exceeding expectations.
