Design and Technology
Intent statement
Design and Technology at St Anne’s Catholic Primary School helps to prepare children to deal with tomorrow’s rapidly changing world. It encourages children to become independent, creative problem solvers and thinkers both as individuals and part of a team. It enables them to identify needs and opportunities and to respond to them by developing a range of ideas and by making products and systems.
Through the study of Design and Technology, they combine practical skills with an understanding of aesthetic, social and environmental issues, as well as functions and industry. This allows them to reflect on and evaluate past and present technology, it's uses and impacts.
A major focus of our D+T curriculum is to look at sustainability and the materials which we use. In looking at sustainability, we hope to influence our children to consider their impact upon the planet.
The aims of teaching D + T in our school are:
- provide a fun, creative and challenging D&T curriculum which challenges and inspires our pupils.
- develop the creative, technical and practical expertise need to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world.
- build and apply a repertoire of knowledge, understanding and skills in order to design and make high-quality prototypes and products for a wide range of users
- critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products and the work of others
- understand and apply the principles of nutrition and learn how to cook.
Implementation
DT at St Anne’s is taught discreetly in three, half-termly blocks per year group allowing children to fully immerse themselves in a project, whilst also mastering any practical skills required. Our scheme of work ensures comprehensive coverage of the National Curriculum objectives for KS1 and KS2. Key concepts and technical vocabulary are also included in planning which follows an overall design, make, evaluate structure. Key skills, knowledge and vocabulary have been mapped across year groups to ensure learning is progressive. Where appropriate, learners are encouraged to research significant individuals who are relevant to DT learning and to think about careers where the skills and knowledge they gain may be utilised. Pupils are encouraged to grow into independent learners who acknowledge risks and manage them successfully; this includes class discussions on food hygiene and ensuring tools and equipment are used safely. Children are also encouraged to be environmentally conscious and think about how finite resources can be used considerately in all aspects of their learning.
Impact
Our main aim is to ensure learners are armed with a diverse range of DT skills and knowledge alongside a passion for creativity and innovation. Pupils will be able to apply the skills acquired to future projects and have an appreciation of how designs are created, realised and built upon.
The children are assessed in the following ways;
- Pupil voice- discussion with pupils to assess understanding in relation to new concepts, vocabulary and skills.
- Ongoing formative assessment by class teachers and subject lead. Assessment of outcomes and design/evaluate processes.
Please find the DT long term plan below;
