Design Technology
Intent
At Howden-le-Wear Primary, we intend to build a Design Technology curriculum which is inspiring, rigorous, and practical. We want our children to use 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. We intend for all children to acquire appropriate subject knowledge, skills and understanding that meets the expectations outlined in the National Curriculum. It is our aim to create strong cross curricular links with other subjects, such as Mathematics, Science, Geography and History. We want Design and Technology to prepare our children, to give them the opportunities, responsibilities, and experiences they need to be successful in later life.
Implementation
At Howden-le-Wear Primary, we have created a Design Technology curriculum, which engages, inspires and challenges pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create. They gain knowledge of how Design Technology both reflects and shapes our history, and contributes to the culture, creativity and wealth of our locality and nation. The Design Technology curriculum provides opportunities for children to develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world.
We strive to teach and deliver a high-quality Design and Technology curriculum to the children by implementing a well-though 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. DT is often taught as a block of lessons to allow the time needed for the children to be critical, inventive and reflective on their work. Each project planned from Year 1 to Year 6 aims to address the principles of designing, making and evaluating.
Our key knowledge concepts are: technical, design and creativity, make, evaluate and critique.
Our key skills concepts are: design and creativity, make, tools and materials (EYFS), evaluate and critique.
Impact
As designers, children will develop skills and attributes they can use beyond school and into adulthood. In DT, children may well be asked to solve problems and develop their learning independently. Throughout the curriculum, children are given the opportunity to consolidate their skills by creating their final product independently. Each lesson builds on the previous and children’s skills are improved upon throughout each unit. It is also clear to see the progression of skills throughout the school through the quality of products each year group creates.
