Intent
At St Helen Auckland Primary School we intend to build a Design Technology curriculum which develops learning and results in the acquisition of knowledge and skills. Children will know more, remember more and understand more.
We follow the National Curriculum for Geography, which aims to ensure that all children:
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.
All children will be given the opportunity to reflect on what they have learned through their practical exploration and then to use this knowledge to design and make their own product. It aims to encourage children to take risks, to develop new innovative designs and to be reflective learners by giving them opportunities to evaluate their own work, as well as the design and work of others within school and the wider world. Children are given time to test their own products and make adjustments which enable them to change their designs and improve their end product. By looking at the work of others and giving praise to celebrate success, and words of advice when products need further work, enable children to become evaluative learners.
Our Design Technology lends itself to developing the following key skills for life (Learning Powers):
Perseverance
Absorption
Resilience
Collaboration
Resourcefulness
Using
Making links
Reflectiveness
Implementation
Our bespoke Design and Technology curriculum is designed by identifying the key skills, knowledge and understanding required by the National Curriculum, which is then planned to ensure that the skills are taught sequentially across the key stages and that new skills build on and develop the skills taught in previous year groups. The children are given opportunities to evaluate their own designs and products based on a clear set of criteria. All children are given the opportunity to engage in a wide range of D&T activities which actively encourage them to embrace the subject and develop a lifelong set of skills.
Design Technology is taught in a range of ways depending on the links to the topics covered and is planned to be delivered every other half term .
Impact
Design Technology is taught in this way at St Helen Auckland Primary School to allowed children to become more confident ultimately know more, remember more and understand more about the subject.
By the time our children leave us in KS2 they we be able to
An excellent attitude to learning and independent working.
The ability to use time efficiently and work constructively and productively with others.
The ability to carry out thorough research, show initiative and ask questions to develop an exceptionally detailed knowledge of users’ needs.
The ability to act as responsible designers and makers, working ethically, using finite materials carefully and working safely.
A thorough knowledge of which tools, equipment and materials to use to make their products.
The ability to apply mathematical knowledge and skills accurately.
The ability to manage risks exceptionally well to manufacture products safely and hygienically.
Ongoing assessments are made throughout the year. KWL grids are carried out at the start of each term so the teacher has a good understanding of the children’s prior knowledge. Teachers use this information to plan future lessons; ensuring children are supported and challenged. Key questions are planned for the start of each term and evident on Medium Term Planning.
Medium Term Planning
Year 1 MTP DT
Year 2 MTP DT
Year 3 MTP DT
Year 4 DT MTP
Year 5 MTP DT
Year 6 MTP DT
Long Term Planning
