Design Technology

Intent

 

At Culgaith, our curriculum map is structured through a sequence of units of work over two years, which link to our half termly topics, which allows and ensures there are opportunities to experience and develop a structured progression of skills and knowledge that builds upon children’s prior learning and experiences. Each year, children will learn about a variety of architects and engineers and they will underpin the planning of the project. We have a rolling programme, where children will revisit previous skills and knowledge around a different project to revisit learning and to help retainment. Rather than relying on a single scheme, we have spent time evaluating available resources and have not yet found one that is sufficiently extensive or challenging to reflect our beliefs and the needs of our pupils. Instead, we have developed our own curriculum to ensure that learning is progressive, purposeful and gives children genuine opportunities to create, evaluate and refine their work.

Aims: 

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

This is implemented through: 

• A well thought out, whole school, yearly overview of the DT curriculum which allows for progression across year groups in all areas of DT (textiles, mechanisms, structures, food and electrical systems) 

• Well planned and resourced projects providing children with a hands-on and enriching experience 

• A range of skills being taught ensuring that children are aware of health and safety issues related to the tasks undertaken 

• Teachers being given ownership and flexibility to plan for Design and Technology; often teaching DT as a block of lessons to allow the development of skills and engagement with topic.

Impact

 

The impact of our plans is that children at Culgaith School will develop a love of Design and Technology. From having a hands-on, enriching approach to this subject children in Year 6 will have gained skills that will continue building and developing as life-long learners.  The study of design and technology is evident and visual throughout the school; in children’s books, displays, discussions around previous projects and prototype models they have made in class.  Impact can also be measured through the progression children have made through the school.

Design and Technology Subject File

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