Intent
Design and Technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. At Castor Church of England Primary School, our aim is to develop both new and existing skills, enabling children to research, design, make and evaluate products. This is best achieved in a variety of contexts that are meaningful to children, allowing them to consider their own and others’ needs, wants and values. As Design and Technology is a cross-curricular subject, it requires a broad range of knowledge and understanding.
Pupils will learn to be resourceful, enterprising, innovative, practical and take risks, whilst also improving their imagination and creativity. We often plan Design and Technology learning to involve group work, with the aim of developing the children’s ability to work as a team and communicate ideas in multiple ways. Throughout the children’s journey from reception to key stage 2, we will strive to deliver high quality teaching in Design and Technology to provide the children with the essential skills to facilitate daily life and help shape the world and their future.
The National Curriculum for Design and Technology aims to ensure that all pupils develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world. Furthermore, it ensures they 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. Pupils will learn to critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products alongside the work of others, while also understanding and applying the principles of nutrition and learning how to cook.
Implementation
At Castor Church of England Primary School, we will implement high-quality teaching and learning in Design and Technology with careful consideration of progression across year groups in all areas of the subject, including textiles, mechanisms, structures, food and electrical systems. Teachers will maintain an in-depth knowledge of topics to ensure that lessons are reflective of projects and skills built upon by each year group.
Every Design and Technology lesson will have a clear skills-based focus and key learning indicators, with work evidenced in class books, displays and photographs displayed to celebrate achievements. All projects from reception to Year 6 will explicitly address the core principles of designing, making and evaluating products, while fully incorporating relevant technical knowledge and vocabulary. To develop a deep appreciation of human development, creativity and achievement, children will also be introduced to a diverse range of significant designers, engineers and chefs throughout their units of study.
Impact
Pupils’ skills and knowledge will be assessed by the class teacher through lessons, written evidence and products created termly.
The impact of our design and technology curriculum will be measured by assessment against the National Curriculum and age-related expectations. These will be used as tools for teachers to recognise who is emerging, embedded or secure and who may require extra support or intervention. Research, design and final pieces can be seen in class books and displays. Design and technology skills are progressive and built upon as children move up the school. The Design and Technology Lead will ensure that knowledge, skills and understanding within the subject are covered through regular monitoring of teaching and learning, which include reviewing books and carrying out learning walks and pupil learning conversations.
Pupil voice is a useful tool as conversations with pupils demonstrate what they know, can do and remember more than they did before.