Design Technology
Intent
At Harbour Primary and Nursery School, Design and Technology is an inspiring and practical subject. Our curriculum encourages children to think and learn creatively to solve problems both as individuals and as members of a team. They will design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs.
We aim to, wherever possible, link work to other curriculum subjects such as mathematics, english, science, computing and art and design. The children are also given opportunities to reflect upon and evaluate past and present design technology, its uses and its effectiveness. The children at Harbour are encouraged to become innovators and risk-takers to enable them to embrace a changing world.
Implementation
All teachers will use the D&T Association’s Projects on a Page planning and will adapt it to ensure it meets our school’s needs. Children will have a good understanding of what D&T is and the six principles of D&T (user, purpose, functionality, design decisions, innovation and authenticity). Teachers will use the star diagram as a visual snap-shot to see how these principles are emphasised to a lesser or greater degree over the year, depending on the project.
Throughout the school children will understand that DT is about designing and making Something, for Someone, for Some Purpose.
D&T in KS1 has four focuses. Over a two-year period, we will ensure that these focusses are evenly distributed across the year groups to ensure full coverage. However, every year group will include one food unit.
- Mechanisms
- Structures – frame structure
- Food
- Textiles
In KS2 there are five focuses. The focuses are distributed evenly across the key stage building on skills learnt previously. and every year group will study a food unit.
- Mechanical Systems
- Electrical Systems (including CAD – computer aided design)
- Structures – frame structure and shell structure
- Food
- Textiles
Local companies will be used where appropriate to develop authentic and truly purposeful learning opportunities.
Impact
Our Design and Technology curriculum is planned to demonstrate skills, knowledge and vocabulary progression to ensure age related attainment at the end of each Key Stage.
Our assessment will show progression in the following areas by the end of Year 2, end of Year 4 and end of Year 6.
Design: understanding contexts, users and purposes; generating, developing, modelling and communicating ideas
Making: planning; practical skills & techniques
Evaluating: own ideas and products; existing products; key events and individuals
Technical knowledge: making products work
Cooking & nutrition: where food comes from; food preparation, cooking and nutrition
