Design and Technology
Curriculum Intent
Design and Technology is an exciting and practical subject where pupils will experience fun and engaging lessons which give them opportunities to think about what products are used for and the needs of those who use them. Pupils will acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on disciplines such as Mathematics, Science, Engineering, Computing and Art. They will also develop technical vocabulary and skills across five key areas of DT: structures, mechanisms, cooking and nutrition, textiles and electrical systems.
Aims and Objectives
Our aims and objectives are drawn from the Kapow Primary DT scheme.
- Pupils should have a secure understanding of who they are designing and making for, the purpose of the product and how it will work.
- Pupils should progressively produce accurate and detailed designs with all parts and materials labelled.
- Pupils should develop technical skills, applying measurements and using tools accurately and safely.
- Pupils should learn technical vocabulary when communicating about their products through verbal and written language.
- Pupils need to be able to test, evaluate, modify and improve their products.
Teaching and Learning
Staff will plan a thematic, skills based approach, in accordance with the medium term plans based on the Kapow scheme of work. They will use a variety of teaching and learning styles in the design and technology lessons making them as active and practical as possible. DT should be taught across all year groups with a minimum of one project per term. Pupils should learn how to use a wide range of skills, vocabulary and knowledge, which will include:
- Learning how to work independently and collaboratively
- Developing, planning and communicating ideas
- Improving skills
- Select tools, equipment, materials and components to make quality products
- Evaluating processes and products
- Developing knowledge and understanding of materials and components
- Learning the importance of health and safety
- Specific practical skills lessons
We recognise that all classes have children with widely differing design and technology abilities. We will provide suitably challenging learning opportunities for them by differentiating the task, the resources available, the time given and by providing additional support and extension where necessary.
Curriculum- Planning and Practice
We use ‘Kapow Primary’ for Design and Technology. We have adapted the scheme to reflect the needs of our school and our intention to enhance the development of all children’s key skills. DT is explicitly taught and is, where possible, linked to each year group’s topic for that half term. We have ensured cross curricular links are made wherever relevant and have planned progression into the scheme of work so that the children are increasingly challenged as they move up through our school. Our curriculum planning is in three phases (long term, medium term and short term). Our Curriculum Maps show the design and technology topics studied in each term.
Foundation Stage
We teach Design Technology in the Foundation classes as an integral part of the topic work carried out during the year. We relate the design technology aspects of the children’s work to the objectives set out in the Early Learning Goals, which underpin the curriculum planning for children aged four to five. Design Technology makes a significant contribution to the ELGs for ‘Expressive Arts and Design’ and also some aspects of ‘Physical Development’. In the Early Years, the children always have access to model making equipment in the ‘DT Area’, the ‘Playdough Area’ and the ‘Construction Area’ as part of continuous provision with specific enhancement activities planned within topics as detailed in the Foundation MTP.
Key Stage 1 & 2
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Mechanisms |
Structures |
Textiles |
Electrical Systems |
Cooking & Nutrition |
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Y1 |
Moving Storybook: Sliders |
Windmills |
Puppets |
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Smoothies |
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Y2 |
Moving Alien ship
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Moot Hall model |
Minibeast Pouches |
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Balanced diet: Wraps |
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Y3 |
Pneumatic model |
Viking Longhouse
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Cushions |
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Eating seasonally: Seasonal tarts |
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Y4 |
Slingshot Cars |
Stone age dwelling |
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Torches |
Adapting a recipe: Biscuits |
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Y5 |
Book with mechanisms |
Playgrounds |
Stuffed Toys |
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Developing a recipe: Bolognese |
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Y6 |
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Bridges |
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Steady Hand Games |
Come dine with me: 3 courses |
Food Technology/Cooking
We have a specially equipped Cookery room which the children from Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 2 access during their ‘Cooking & nutrition’ unit.
Individual Needs and Inclusion
At Wentworth Design and Technology is an important part of the school curriculum and it is taught to all children, whatever their ability. We set high expectations and provide learning opportunities that enable all children to make progress. We challenge the children to achieve objectives and key indicators. In addition to this we modify, as necessary, the MTPs to provide children working below or above these key indicators with appropriately challenging work, overcoming potential barriers to learning.
Assessment, Recording and Reporting
Assessment is an integral part of teaching and learning and is carried out in accordance with Wentworth’s Assessment Policy. Across KS1 and KS2 there are Assessment Grids for each DT project. These Assessment grids link with the school report cards that are shared with parents termly. Subject Coordinators are responsible for evaluating and analysing the outcomes indicated on the teachers’ subject performance assessment sheets (which are completed termly by the teaching staff). In EYFS judgements are made each term and shared with parents through Target Tracker Link. Photographs of selected pieces of design and technology work are collated and presented in the subject co-ordinator’s file. Also Pupil Perception Surveys are regularly carried out.
Marking
Marking is carried out in accordance with the Wentworth’s Marking Policy. Feedback is given to pupils within lessons to give them opportunities to improve their work as they go and there is also marking of written work and plans. Pupils are encouraged to self and peer assess their learning particularly during the evaluation phase of the project.
Resources
Equipment and materials are kept in the DT cupboards outside the year 3 classrooms. There are online resources on the Kapow website. These include power points and teacher and pupil instruction videos. If resources are not available in school, the Design Technology coordinator / class teacher can request resources to be ordered.
Equal Opportunities
Our Design and Technology teaching is in accordance with our policy on Equal opportunities in Wentworth.
Health and Safety
When teaching Design and Technology, health and safety issues will be taken into account according to the school’s Health and Safety Policy. There are also health and safety notices on the DT cupboards for teachers to read before using certain tools and resources.
Monitoring, Review and Evaluation
Monitoring the teaching and learning in Design and Technology is the responsibility of the Design and Technology co-ordinator, the class teacher and the senior management team. The work of the co-ordinator also involves supporting colleagues in the teaching of Design and Technology, being informed about current developments in the subject and providing a strategic lead and direction for the subject at Wentworth. A subject co-ordinator action plan is raised and reviewed annually.