Design Technology
Our Design and Technology curriculum here at St. Paul’s is driven by our vision and values.
Learning Together Following Jesus
Christian values are the heartbeat of our school. Seeking to be respectful, responsible, and empowering global citizens, we follow the words of St Paul, 'Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart.' In this context, rejoicing in Jesus' love and compassion for all, we pursue excellence as we celebrate everyone's uniqueness in a broad, rich and balanced curriculum.
Intent
Our Design and Technology curriculum aims to provide the foundations for designing and making in a real life context using practical skills through our bespoke Cornerstones Curriculum.
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.
At Adlington St Paul’s, designing and making skills are embedded through particular topics. These skills are revisited and developed throughout the children’s time at school. Revisiting skills allows children to build upon and deepen their prior knowledge and increase their interest for new topics. Gaps are identified early on (if there are any) and are taught were best fit or as standalone lessons or units.
We aim to motivate and inspire children to develop and use a range of skills some being: generating, developing, modelling and communicating ideas, planning what to make, developing practical skills and techniques, evaluating existing products and own products, researching key individuals, understanding where food comes from and the preparation needed in order to cook. Design and Technology encourages children to learn to think and intervene creatively to solve problems both as individuals and as members of a team. At St Paul’s, we encourage children to use their 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 aim to, wherever possible, link work to other disciplines such as mathematics, science, English – both reading and writing opportunities, engineering, 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.
Implementation
In Design and Technology, we implement an inclusive curriculum that meets the requirements of the National Curriculum. Our curriculum is a well-planned and has integrated cross curricular opportunities through the theme.
Each themed unit has four stages; the first stage is ‘Engage’. A ‘hook’ is delivered to create a memorable experience for the children, to set the scene and provide the context for learning and to spark the children’s curiosity using interesting starting points. Questions are asked to find out the children’s interests. The second stage is ‘Develop’. This stage teaches facts and information for deeper understanding and knowledge, new skills are demonstrated and the stage allows time for consolidation. Creative opportunities for making and doing are provided, along with reading, writing and talking across the curriculum. The third stage is ‘Innovate’. Imaginative scenarios are provided to encourage creative thinking. This stage allows for children to apply previously learned skills and encourages enterprise and independent thinking. Collaborative working and problem solving are other strategies used within this stage. The final stage is ‘Express’. Environments are set for reflective talk and opportunities are created for shared evaluation in order to celebrate the children’s success and to identify their next steps for learning. These four stages ensure all children make progress.
Through the themes in each year group, the creative curriculum includes a variety of creative and practical activities, we teach the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to engage in an iterative process of designing and making. The children work in a range of relevant contexts (for example home, school, leisure, culture, enterprise, industry and the wider environment). Key skills and key knowledge for Design and Technology are mapped across the school through Cornerstones to ensure progression between year groups. The theme ensures that there is a context for the children’s work in Design and Technology; that they learn about real life structures and the purpose of specific examples, as well as developing their skills throughout the programme of study.
When designing and making, the children are taught to:
Design
• Use research and develop design criteria to inform the design of innovative, functional, appealing products that are fit for purpose, aimed at particular individuals or groups
• Generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through discussion, annotated sketches, cross-sectional diagrams, prototypes, pattern pieces and computer-aided design
Make
• Select from and use a wider range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks (for example, cutting, shaping, joining and finishing) accurately
• Select from and use a wider range of materials and components, including construction materials, textiles and ingredients, according to their functional properties and aesthetic qualities
Evaluate
• Investigate and analyse a range of existing products
• Evaluate their ideas and products against their own design criteria and consider the views of others to improve their work
• Understand how key events and individuals in design and technology have helped shape the world
Technical knowledge
• Apply their understanding of how to strengthen, stiffen and reinforce more complex structures
• Understand and use mechanical systems in their products
• Understand and use electrical systems in their products
• Apply their understanding of computing to program, monitor and control their products
Cooking and Nutrition
Understand and apply the principles of a healthy and varied diet
Prepare and cook a variety of predominantly savoury dishes using a range of cooking techniques
Understand seasonality, and know where and how a variety of ingredients are grown, reared, caught and processed.
Design and Technology lessons are also taught as a block so that children’s learning is focused throughout each unit of work.
Impact
Our themed curriculum is high quality, well thought out and is planned to demonstrate progression of Design and Technology and all other subjects. We ensure the children of St Paul’s develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world. Our children 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 critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products and the work of others. The children at St Paul’s understand and apply the principles of nutrition and learn how to cook. Children will design and make a range of products. A good quality finish will be expected in all design and activities made appropriate to the age and ability of the child
Children 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. High-quality design and technology education makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of the nation.