In the Lower School there is a significant focus on Designing. Design education empowers students to reach their full potential in creativity, self-efficacy and collaboration. It prepares pupils for the outside world and encourages independent thinking – rather than limiting scope and learning memorisation.

Readiness for Middle School

The following Historical knowledge/concepts are non-negotiables for the end of Year 4 for all pupils:

• Knowledge of design and making

• Understanding of design and making

• Basic skills required to design and make

• Ability to carry out basic research and develop design criteria that inform a fit for purpose design

• Generate basic ideas, model and verbally communicate

• To be able to use basic hand tools; to cut, shape or join accurately

• Have the skills to select a resistant material with some coherence

• Understand how key events and individuals have helped shape the world

• Demonstrate both practical and written and understanding of mechanical systems (pulleys)

• Demonstrate understanding of electrical systems (batteries)

Intervention and Catch-Up

Any pupils not yet working able to demonstrate mastery of the knowledge/concepts listed above will receive the following support in Year 5, and 6:

• Differentiated Activities/ task

• Support - Scaffolded learning

• Additional 1-to-1 help with TA or support adult

• Chunking work into bitesize accessible tasks

• Diagrams, pictures/ storyboards

• Clear assessments & tracking

In middle school there is a focus on all areas of Design, Making and Evaluation. The skills developed in D&T can help with overall learning across the curriculum. It enables pupils to utilise academic knowledge and understanding in context. This prepare pupils to participate in tomorrow’s rapidly changing world. D&T is subject that truly integrates classroom learning with the worlds of industry, digital technology and design.

Readiness for Upper School

The following Historical knowledge/concepts are non-negotiables for end of Year 8 for all pupils:

• An understanding of the 5 material areas (wood, metal, paper/boards, textiles & polymers)

• An understanding of electronics

• Proficient Research skills

• Evaluation skills

• Understanding/ appreciation of design, manufacture & recycling / upcycling

• Identification of culture and its effect on design and technology

• Problem-solving skills

• Understanding of biomimicry

• Specification development

• The ability to use a range of hand tools to make a product but also basic use of CAD/ CAM, 3D printing/modelling.

Intervention and Catch-Up

Any pupils not yet working able to demonstrate mastery of the knowledge/concepts listed above will receive the following support in Year 9, 10 and 11:

• Constructive feedback to help achieve their targets

• Progress will be constantly monitored and topics tracked

• 1-to-1 tuition and support

• Small group tutors

• Online revision and independent tasks/ resources

• Scaffolded learning

• Demonstration / modelling good practice (exemplar work and videos)

In the Upper School there is emphasis on Making but also more time allocated to Design and Evaluation. Making is essential to develop employability skills. The UK has a rich history of design and manufacturing innovations, there is a skills shortage in this area. The breadth of skills learnt in DT can potentially help bolster this important economic contribution to industry in the future.

Lower School

• Design Technology integrated with wider curriculum (ART and crafts)

• Design Technology as workshop days

• STEM – Robotics workshop

• TRIP - LEGO land - Access to mechanical play – LEGO and Meccano

Middle School

• Guest speakers on key subjects from industry experts

• Cross-curricular events with other subjects:

• History Department talk on Technology innovations and how things have changed

• Drama Department collaboration, making props for productions

• Forest school – supporting vulnerable students

• Enterprise Craft club – Jewellery/ gift cards etc HCR

• STEM Fairs

• Scalextric making and racing cars.

• TRIP - London Museums – Design Museum, the V&A Museum, Museum of Brands, Apple store and Wembley stadium

Upper School

• Cross-curricular trip with other subjects:

• Business – Manufacturing

• Science/IT - STEMbotics – Robotics and Coding (Raspberry pi kits)

• Guest speakers and webinars from industry experts

• Forest school – supporting vulnerable students

• Soap box Derby – team building

• Construction club – RST

• TRIP - Business – Manufacturing Cadburys World/ Jaguar land rover – Birmingham