Design and Technology

‘Design is not just what it looks like: design is how it works’ Steve Jobs.

Intent

    At St Mary Bourne Primary, we believe that design and technology helps to prepare children for the ever-changing world and encourages them to become curious and creative problem-solvers, both as individuals and as part of a team.

    Through the study of design and technology, they combine practical skills with an understanding of aesthetic and environmental issues. It provides children with a greater awareness and understanding of how everyday products are designed and made. Design and technology helps all children to become discerning consumers and potential innovators.

    Our intent is to create a Design and Technology curriculum that is rich, inclusive and will ignite enthusiasm for learning. Our aims are:

• to develop imaginative thinking in children and to enable them to talk about what they like and dislike when designing and making;
• to enable children to talk about how things work, and to draw and model their ideas;
• to encourage children to select appropriate tools and techniques for making a product, whilst following safe procedures;
• to foster enjoyment, satisfaction and purpose in designing and making;
• to use ICT (when appropriate) to assist our designing and learning.

Implementation

   We use a variety of teaching and learning styles in design and technology lessons. Teachers ensure that the children apply their knowledge and understanding when developing ideas, planning, making products and evaluating them.

   We do this through a mixture of whole class teaching and individual/group activities. All children’s ideas are treated with respect and they are encouraged to evaluate their own work and that of others. They have the opportunity to use a wide range of materials and resources, including ICT.

   We teach design and technology to all pupils, whatever their ability, and provide learning opportunities that enable them to make progress. We do this by setting suitable learning challenges and respond to each child’s needs. We strive to support individual needs and enable children to achieve their full potential through appropriate challenge and questioning.

   Children are encouraged to think and work independently and collaboratively evaluating, extending and improving their ideas. They will be encouraged to take risks and experiment.

The Curriculum

   Pupils are given the opportunity to work within three main areas of development during each topic:

•  investigative tasks including analysing existing products;
• focused practical tasks allowing children to learn, practice and develop key skills;
• ·design and make assignments allowing children to apply their knowledge, skills and understanding when developing their ideas and creations.

In EYFS, their early skills include:

• asking questions about how things work;
• investigating and using a variety of construction kits, materials, tools and products;
• developing making skills;
• handling appropriate tools and construction material safely, with increasing control.

   Across Key Stages 1 and 2, we plan design and technology topics that building upon prior learning of the children. We give opportunities to develop skills, knowledge and understanding and ensuring progressive challenge, breadth and depth to their design and making. The units are focused on the following areas:

•  cooking and nutrition;
• materials;
• construction including mechanics.

    Due to the practical nature of design and technology, evidence of work undertaken by children can be in the form of teacher’s notes or as a photographic record.

Impact

At St Mary Bourne Primary, we want our children to see Design and Technology as a passage for creativity, developing skills as well as positive well-being We will enable the children to develop a voice and opinion on the stages of what they are creating before evaluating the final product.  We aim to inspire a curiosity for learning where children are encouraged to strive for excellence and preparing them for life to become caring and active citizens in an ever-changing world.