Design and Technology Zone
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.
(National Curriculum 2014)
Intent
Design and Technology encourages children to learn to think and intervene creatively to solve problems both as individuals and as members of a team.
At St. Bede’s, we encourage children to use their creativity and imagination, to design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. We aim to, wherever possible, link work to other disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art. The children are also given opportunities to reflect upon and evaluate past and present design technology, its uses and its effectiveness and are encouraged to become innovators and risk-takers.
At St Bede’s, we love to design, create and evaluate!
What our pupils say:
“In DT you get a chance to plan and design things for a real purpose.”
“You can work on your own or in groups.”
“I like it that I can make something and test and evaluate it so that I can make changes to improve it.”
“I loved designing a flapjack for a superhero. I am looking forward to tasting it!”
“In Year 2 we created our own troll using clay and paint.”
“I can’t wait to make my sandwich fit for a Giant.”
“My favourite part of DT this year was making a winter scene in a shoe box.”
“We use the IPads to research ideas.”
“At the beginning of the year we planned and made shadow puppet theatres and my favourite thing from last year was making a Viking long boat.”
Implementation
Through a variety of creative and practical activities, we teach the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to engage in an iterative process of designing and making. The children work in a range of relevant contexts (for example home, school, leisure, culture, enterprise, industry and the wider environment).
Here at St. Bede’s we encourage the children make decisions for themselves and do lots of practical work. Pupils love creating products they can see, touch – and even taste – for themselves. They feel proud to have done so.
Design and Technology education helps develop children’s skills through collaborative working and problem-solving, and knowledge in design, materials, structures, mechanisms and electrical control. They are encouraged to be creative and innovative, and are actively encouraged to think about important issues such as sustainability and enterprise.
There are three core activities children engage with in Design and Technology:
- Activities which involve investigating and evaluating existing products
- Focused tasks in which children develop particular aspects of knowledge and skills.
- Designing and making activities in which children design and make 'something' for 'somebody' for 'some purpose'.
Impact
We ensure the 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 and 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.
Children will design and make a range of products. A good quality finish will be expected in all design and activities made appropriate to the age and ability of the child Children 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.
Design and Technology brings learning to life. It is a motivating context for discovering literacy, mathematics, science, art, PSHE and ICT. Primary Design and Technology also provides a firm basis for later learning in the subject and a platform for developing skills in literacy and numeracy.