Design Technology

Intent

Rooted in our Christian values, Design Technology empowers pupils to engage actively and thoughtfully with the world around them. Through practical and imaginative learning experiences, children develop not only essential knowledge and skills but also the confidence to innovate and solve problems responsibly, preparing them to be resourceful and capable citizens in an increasingly technological society.

Our Design Technology curriculum aims to:

• Foster creativity and critical thinking by enabling pupils to design, make, and evaluate products with purpose.
• Encourage risk-taking and resilience, allowing pupils to learn from mistakes and refine their ideas in a supportive environment aligned with our school ethos of forgiveness and hope.
• Promote equality of opportunity by ensuring all pupils, including those with SEND and from disadvantaged backgrounds, access high-quality teaching that meets their individual needs and fosters their success.

Implementation

The Design and Technology National Curriculum outlines three stages needed for the design process: design, make and evaluate. Cooking and nutrition has a separate section with a focus on specific skills and techniques in food that includes where food comes from, diet and seasonality.

Through the curriculum at Christ Church, pupils respond to design briefs that require consideration of the needs of others developing their skills in 5 key areas.

• Mechanisms
• Structures
• Textiles
• Cooking and nutrition (Food)
• Electrical systems (Upper KS2)

The curriculum is designed so that areas are revisited with increasing complexity allowing pupils to build on previous learning.

Design and Technology is timetabled as an independent subject (not as part of a ‘topic’ lesson) once a week on a carousel with art. This means that pupils will cover three terms of weekly Design and Technology lessons each year.

Impact

Collaborative work in Design and Technology develops mutual respect for the differing opinions, beliefs and abilities of others. In addition, pupils will develop a respect for the environment, for their own health and safety and that of others. They learn to appreciate the value of similarities and differences and learn to show tolerance.                                                                                                                  

At the end of Year 6, as pupils have progressed though the curriculum, they should leave Christ Church equipped with a range of skills to enable them to succeed in their secondary education and be resourceful and innovative members of society.

The expected impact of following the Design and Technology scheme is that children will be able to show a range of skills relevant to the research, design, making and evaluation process:

• Understand the functional and aesthetic properties of a range of materials and resources.
• Understand how to use and combine tools to carry out different processes for shaping, decorating and manufacturing products.
• Build and apply a repertoire of skills, knowledge and understanding to produce high quality, innovative outcomes.
• Understand and apply the principles of healthy eating, diets and recipes, including key processes, food groups and cooking equipment.
• Self-evaluate and reflect on learning at different stages and identify areas to improve.
• Meet the end of key stage expectations outlined in the National Curriculum for Design and Technology.