Design And Technology Curriculum Statement

Intent – What are we trying to achieve?

It is our intent for Design & Technology at Sacred Heart School to excite and inspire children to think creatively and imaginatively and to design and make products to solve real or relevant problems considering their purpose, function and the needs of the user. 

We provide our children with an exciting and creative curriculum, in which Design & Technology is taught through topic themes, allowing for cross-curricular links.  We have a skills-based approach to teaching and Design Technology learning using objectives taken from the National Curriculum.  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;

• 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.

Through a variety of creative and practical activities children will have fun exploring products, materials, equipment and techniques to develop knowledge, understanding, skills and technical expertise.  This will enable them to engage in a process of design and making, creating a range of structures, mechanisms, textiles, electrical systems and food products with purpose and enthusiasm.

Implementation – How is our vision translated into practice?

At Sacred Heart School, Design and Technology (D&T) topics are taught in accordance with the National Curriculum.  Our curriculum is supported by a skills and progression map which ensures that skills and knowledge are built upon each year and children are given the opportunity to build on their prior knowledge and are challenged in line their year group expectations: children will know more, remember more and understand more. 

Children in Years 1-6 are taught a Design and Technology topic each term, alternating with Art and Design in half-termly blocks across the academic year.  Across each phase of the school, children will undertake a range of Design and Technology projects, including:

• construction projects (involving structures/mechanisms);

• textile projects;

• food/drink projects;

• projects involving electrical systems and applying wider understanding of computing/programming. 

Each Design and Technology project is delivered following a clear structure of design, make, and evaluate.  Each of these stages are rooted in technical knowledge and vocabulary.  Topics will be based in relevant contexts, real or imaginary, that stimulate interest and give opportunities to develop the relevant technical skills.  

We begin each Design and Technology ‘project’ with a Design Brief - to present the context /the problem and what product they need to research, design and make.

Research may include:

• Investigating - finding examples to look at - internet/ books/ classroom/ home

• Disassembly - taking an example apart - what parts does it have? How do they work? What are they made from?

• Skills focus - what skills do the children need to be able to do - fixing techniques, food preparation techniques, techniques to make moving mechanisms, techniques to use with thread and fabric.

• Mock-ups/ models/ patterns - quick paper/card models or patterns to test an idea or to provide a template to follow.

The project will the require pupils to design, make and evaluate their chosen products, whilst gaining the related technical knowledge relating to the task:

Designing - Using all aspects of the research carried out draw, annotated sketches- labelled diagrams / notes.  Make lists of materials, equipment/ brief sequence of making.

Making - Using the design / plan / notes and encouraged to adapt as they go along.  As children move up the school ‘the finished product’ will be increasingly important.

Evaluation - Testing and evaluating against the design and success criteria and make comparisons to existing products.

Technical knowledge - Gaining an increasing knowledge and understanding of how to make products ‘work’ (e.g. building and strengthening/reinforcing structures, exploring and using mechanisms, understanding and using electrical systems and applying computing/programing to their products). 

EYFS

During the Early Years Foundation Stage, the essential building blocks of children’s Design and Technology capability are established.

There are many opportunities for carrying out D&T-related activities in all areas of learning in the EYFS.  During the EYFS, pupils explore and use a variety of media and materials through a combination of child-initiated and adult-directed activities. 

They have the opportunities to learn to:

• Use different media and materials to express their own ideas

• Use what they have learnt about media and materials in original ways, thinking about form, function and purpose

• Make plans and construct with a purpose in mind using a variety of resources

• Develop skills to use simple tools and techniques appropriately, effectively and safely

• Select appropriate resources for a product and adapt their work where necessary

• Cook and prepare food adhering to good health and hygiene routines

Specifically, ‘Designing and Making’ is identified as a strand within Knowledge and Understanding of the World.  By the end of the EYFS, most children should be able to:  

• Construct with a purpose in mind, using a variety of resources 

• Use simple tools and techniques competently and appropriately 

• Build and construct with a wide range of objects, selecting appropriate resources and adapting their work when necessary 

• Select the tools and techniques they need to shape, assemble and join materials they are using

Impact – What is the impact of our curriculum?

• Children will develop their God-given talents and gain the technical knowledge and skills needed to become confident individuals.

• Children will have clear enjoyment and confidence in Design and Technology that they will then apply to other areas of the curriculum.

• Children will ultimately know more, remember more and understand more about Design and Technology, demonstrating this knowledge when using tools or skills in other areas of the curriculum and in opportunities out of school.

• The large majority of children will achieve age-related expectations in Design Technology.

• As designers, children will develop skills and attributes they can use beyond school and into adulthood.