Design Technology
Statement of Intent
At Heddington Church of England Primary School, children receive a design and technology curriculum which allows them to exercise their creativity through designing and making. Knowledge and skills are taught progressively to ensure that all children are able to learn and practice, which will allow them to develop as they move through the school. Evaluation is an integral part of the design process and allows children to adapt and improve their product, this is a key skill which can be applied throughout their lives.
Children will be equipped with the skills to become risk takers and innovators and will have used a range of tools, resources and materials to create effectively constructed and aesthetically pleasing results. This provides children with not only a sense of achievement but a strong foundation for the next steps of their learning and key skills for life.
Design and technology allows children to apply the knowledge and skills learned in other subjects, such as science, computing, maths, art and PSHE. To ensure a broad and balanced curriculum, we split DT into six strands: food technology, mechanical systems, structures, textiles, digital technology and electrical systems. Children are given the opportunity to delve deep into each of these strands by taking ownership of a project in each of them during their time in each class.
The experiences children have in design and technology are entwined with aspects of our school values. Children will develop their ability to persevere as they adapt and redesign to solve problems with their initial ideas. Children will use their creative skills and develop their understanding of design that is aesthetically pleasing. As children progress through our DT curriculum, they will also develop an appreciation of how things work and consider how all things are created or designed.
What do we want Children to Gain from Design and Technology?
- Develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently.
- Be prepared 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.
Statement of Implementation
Please click here to see the Programme of Study for Design Technology
How we Assess Impact
All children have access to a Design and Technology Knowledge and Skills Tracker. As with other foundation subjects, children use this tracker to identify the areas in which they are developing. Teachers and the subject coordinator will use the trackers to identify areas which may require further teaching or greater exposure.
The criteria against which children will assess themselves are split into four categories: Design, Make, Evaluate and Technical Knowledge. This ensures that children are developing their knowledge, understanding and skills in each stage of the design process.
The Design and Technology coordinator has termly release time to talk to pupils, review their projects and observe lessons.
The subject co-ordinator for Design Technology is Mr Andrews