Design Technology
Vision
‘And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.’ Micah 6:8.
Through the teachings of Jesus, all can flourish spiritually, emotionally and academically throughout life, living out love and justice for all. Our Christian values of love, justice, compassion, wisdom, forgiveness and friendship underpin the life of the school community and impact on our daily lives. Guilden Sutton Church of England Primary School strives to provide the best possible education for our children. We aim for excellence within our happy, secure school where each individual’s achievements are valued and celebrated. By using a holistic approach, we will provide a curriculum that offers a diverse and challenging environment to inspire and motivate every child in our care.
Intent
At Guilden Sutton Church of England Primary School, we understand that Design and Technology allows pupils to solve problems, think creatively and develop ideas. We actively encourage children to explore and analyse a range of existing products and then use this information to inform the development and direction of their own ideas. We aim to, wherever possible, link work to other disciplines such as mathematics, science, 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. By instilling the values of independence, resilience and critical evaluation, staff at Guilden Sutton Church of England Primary School provide opportunities for children to flourish into creative, free-thinkers with the confidence to explore the world around them.
In teaching D&T, we aim to help pupils:
- Develop their design and making skills.
- Develop their knowledge and understanding of design and technologies.
- Use a wide range of tools and materials.
- Learn about working safely and protective measures.
- Work individually and collaborate with other pupils in a variety of contexts.
- Develop the capability to create products of a high standard through skills and understanding.
- Evaluate products, made by themselves, their peer groups and companies.
- Explore the man-made world and encourage discussion of how we live and work within it.
- Develop an interest in and understanding of technological processes and the role of manufacturing in society.
- Learn the principles of nutrition, healthy eating and how to cook.
Implementation
The Design and Technology curriculum at Guilden Sutton Church of England Primary School addresses the requirements from Design and Technology National Curriculum. Through a variety of creative and practical activities, we teach the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to engage in an involved process of designing and making. Key skills and key knowledge for D&T have been mapped across the school to ensure progression between year groups. Design and Technology lessons are also taught as a block so that children’s learning is focused throughout each unit of work. Work is recorded in bespoke work booklets for each project with an image of the final product on the front. These booklets are then presented and collected in D&T folders that are passed up through school. Risk assessments are completed before using tools and equipment to ensure the safety of the children. Staff and specifically the subject leader are provided with up-to-date training and professional development to ensure the curriculum is taught to the highest possible standard. All children receive the same curriculum offer. Our ambitious, broad and balanced curriculum is adapted to ensure learning for all our children is never narrowed. Design and Technology resources and additional support are available and utilised where appropriate to further enhance first quality teaching.
Impact
At Guilden Sutton Church of England Primary School we support our pupils to 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 purposes. Our children enjoy the process of putting new skills and knowledge into practice. Within the project, the children are given the time, to test, critique and evaluate their ideas, whilst ensuring a good quality finish to their products. Pupils’ D&T work may be assessed throughout the design process and by teachers judging recorded work against the design criteria and the ‘Can I’ statements for that project. These assessments are recorded on the front of the D&T booklet and will be conducted through observations and discussion.
Teachers will also assess the pupils’:
- Knowledge of tools, materials and equipment.
- Ability to record and communicate their design ideas in a clear manner.
- Personal qualities and attitudes towards their work.
- Ability to explain what they have created and how.
- Ability to use tools and materials safely and effectively.
- Ability to evaluate their work and the work of others.
Here at Guilden Sutton Church of England Primary School, our children are confident design technologists and understand the purpose of D&T and how it can prepare them for the wider world. The vast majority of pupils reach end of year expectations.