Intent
At Moorhill Primary School, Design and Technology is an inspiring and practical subject. We want to encourage children to question and investigate the man-made world around them. We encourage children to solve problems both as individuals and as members of a team. We inspire 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.
Our Curriculum is designed to cover all aspects of the National Curriculum, which has then been broken down into the skills, knowledge and vocabulary needed. This forms the Design & Technology Curriculum map, which ensures a structured progression building upon children’s prior learning. Planned sequences of learning will take account of prior knowledge and skills development, building upon these to prepare for the next stage in their learning journey.
In line with the National Curriculum: Design and Technology programmes of study, we aim to plan inspiring and enriching learning specifically for a purpose by:
- Designing purposeful, functional, appealing products for themselves and other users based on design criteria.
- Select from and use a wide range of materials and components.
- Explore and evaluate a range of existing products.
- Build structures, exploring how they can be made stronger, stiffer and more stable.
All teaching of Design and technology will follow the explore, design, make and evaluate cycle. There will be evidence of each of these stages in the Design and technology booklets, with exception of Year 1 in the Autumn term and Reception year.
Through the Design and Technology curriculum, children will be inspired to create a range of structures, mechanisms, textiles, electrical systems and food products with a real-life purpose.
Implementation
Our Design & Technology curriculum has been designed following the National Curriculum for KS1 and KS2 and The Early Years Foundation Stage Framework. Teachers use the Curriculum map to plan learning based around a topic, building upon skills, knowledge and vocabulary. Across KS1 and KS2 a range of strands are covered including structures, mechanisms, textiles, electrical systems and food.
At Moorhill all teaching of DT will follow the design, make and evaluate cycle. Each stage will be rooted in technical knowledge. The design process will be rooted in real life, relevant contexts to give meaning to learning. While making, children will be given choice and a range of tools to choose freely from. To evaluate, children will be able to evaluate their own products against a design criteria. Each of these steps will be rooted in technical knowledge and vocabulary. There will be evidence in each of these stages in the DT booklets.
Quizzes and questions will be shared with the children at the beginning of their lesson to enable them to revisit prior learning, be confident articulating their new learning. Each unit is based around a topic which develops knowledge gives purpose to their learning.
Impact
Our Design & Technology curriculum is well thought out and planned to give children the skills, knowledge and opportunity to be challenged in their thinking and learning and prepare for their next stage of learning and into their future lives.
We measure the impact of our curriculum through the following methods:
- Pupil discussions and interviews about their learning
- Evidence of pupils work, gathered at the end of units
At Moorhill we ensure the children:
- develop the creative, technical, and practical expertise needed to perform 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
At Moorhill we want our children to develop:
- The ability to be resilience in design and show self-motivation to improve.
- 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.
- A passion for the subject
Learners with Special Educational Needs
At Moorhill, we scaffold and adapt the learning in Design & Technology to enable all learners to succeed.
Learning is adapted through:
- Explicit teaching and modelling.
- Scaffolded resources.
- Provide appropriate resources to enhance learning.
- Opportunities to practise and revise practical skill, before applying skill, to ensure better quality of final product.
- Revisiting of skills within other areas if the curriculum. E.g cutting, joining, evaluating, exploring.
- Peer support. Higher lever learners modelling and supporting others.
- Adult support.