Intent
Design and Technology is an inspiring, rigorous, and practical subject. Using creativity and imagination, pupils design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants, and values. They acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing, and art. Pupils learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising, and capable citizens. Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, they develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world. High-quality design and technology education makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth, and well-being of the nation.
We are very aware of living in a technological age and therefore aim to present our pupils, from a very early age, with problem-solving activities utilising their natural creativity. We follow the process of planning, designing, building, testing, and evaluating so that learning derives equally from all outcomes. We work with a wide range of materials commonly found in our daily lives and encourage our pupils to make their own choices about which are best suited for a task.
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 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.
Implementation
Our academies use the National Curriculum in England (2014) framework for Design and Technology as the basis for its curriculum planning. We develop our medium-term plans using a range of sources, including commercial on-line resources available from the National Stem Centre and other curriculum providers. While there are opportunities for pupils of all abilities to develop their skills and knowledge in each teaching unit, the planned progression built into the Design and Technology curriculum means that the pupils are increasingly challenged as they move through the academy. Design and Technology is taught by an art professional who takes responsibility for planning, resourcing, and delivering this area of the curriculum. Overall responsibility for ensuring that there is a suitable risk assessment in place for this subject lies with the subject coordinator who will ensure that this has been reviewed by the Principal.
In our academies, we believe that Design and Technology lessons should be an enjoyable learning experience. Pupils undertake a Design and Technology project at least three times a year. Lessons take place on half termly blocks. Links are made between each unit so that knowledge can be hierarchically built upon both within a year group and across the whole academy.