Introduction to Design and Technology

‘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.’

Department for Education 2013

Intent

At St Gabriel’s Catholic Primary School, we are developing Designers of the future. Children work as Designers;  adventurous mark making is encouraged in the children’s planning of their designs. They are encouraged to use their imagination to plan products which are innovative, purposeful, functional and appealing to chosen design briefs. Children select from a range of tools, applying their learned, honed technical knowledge and practical skills to make quality products which are fit for purpose; comparing and evaluating their designs with others. Local, National and International designers and how they have shaped the world over time are studied. Rich, essential, high level vocabulary is explicitly taught, revisited and reinforced to strengthen cognitive connections and enhance use of enriched, informed articulation of learning when the children are discussing and evaluating their findings, presenting information, sources of inspiration and ideas. They apply their learned knowledge as they progress throughout the school.

The national curriculum for Design and Technology aims to ensure that all pupils:

• 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

Implementation

At St Gabriel’s Catholic Primary School, we ensure full coverage of National Curriculum Design and Technology by using CUSP (Curriculum With Unity Schools Partnership) Design and Technology programme of study; specifically planned to deliver the essential knowledge, skills and understanding for each year group to achieve a mastery approach to deep learning. The children experiment and understand materials, structures, systems, mechanisms, electrical systems, work with textiles and food and nutrition. We ensure prior learning links to literature are achieved.

Early Years Foundation Stage pupils are encouraged to create imaginative and complex ‘small worlds.’ They make marks adventurously, planning their designs before making simple models which express their ideas; exploring different materials freely, joining them and experimenting with different textures. The children begin to articulate their opinion and evaluation of their designs.

Department for Education 2013:

Key stage 1 and Key stage 2

Pupils should be taught: Through a variety of creative and practical activities, pupils should be taught the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to engage in an iterative process of designing and making. They should work in a range of relevant contexts [for example, the home, school, leisure, culture, enterprise, industry and the wider environment].

As part of their work with food, pupils should be taught how to cook and apply the principles of nutrition and healthy eating. Instilling a love of cooking in pupils will also open a door to one of the great expressions of human creativity. Learning how to cook is a crucial life skill that enables pupils to feed themselves and others affordably and well, now and in later life.

Impact

Outcomes in Design and Technology portfolios evidence a broad and balanced Design and Technology curriculum, demonstrating the children’s acquisition and retention of identified key knowledge whilst also developing curiosity, resilience and enthusiasm for the subject. Pupil voice reflects children’s involvement in their own learning and metacognition.

The impact of Design and Technology at St Gabriel’s Catholic Primary School can be constantly monitored through both formative and summative assessment opportunities. The CUSP scheme of work includes guidance to support teachers in assessing pupils against learning objectives and each unit has a quiz which can be used to assess at the beginning or end of each unit of work. This ensures that children’s progress is accurately monitored and assessed throughout their time in school.

Pupils should leave school equipped with a range of Design and Technology skills to enable them to succeed in their secondary education and life-long learning, equipping them to become aware of and consider careers in Design. We currently hold Gold Award status for Artsmark.

Our Design and Technology curriculum reflects the STEM academic discipline which incorporates children’s technological learning with science, engineering, and mathematics. Our school enters and is successful in a variety of competitions where children learn entrepreneurial skills; creating, developing, marketing and selling, often ecological, products. Parental engagement in craft sessions focusing on designing products is high.