Design & Technology
Subject Leader: Nicola Grimwood
Intent
At Little Bowden Primary School, we believe our Design and Technology curriculum is inspiring, rigorous and practical. Pupils will use creativity and imagination. They will research, design, make and evaluate products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts; considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. They will acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art.
Pupils will learn how to take risks, become resourceful, innovative and enterprising. Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, they will develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world.
Implementation
Our Design and Technology curriculum is based on six focused areas of learning: textiles, structures, mechanisms, electronic systems, food and nutrition and key individuals and events). Our long-term plan ensures that we meet the requirements of the National Curriculum and ensures progression in knowledge and skills through the school.
Our Design and Technology curriculum will develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world. The children will 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. They will critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products and the work of others. Also, pupils will understand and apply the principles of nutrition and learn how to cook.
At Little Bowden, each Year group will work on a design technology and a food technology project (focusing on healthy eating) each term. Each design technology project will start with a research - based focus, including focused practical tasks (FPTs) or investigative, disassemble and evaluate activities (IDEAs). The lesson sequence will then progress to the design, make and evaluate stage, where the children will be encouraged to use an iterative process throughout. Work and photographs from the lessons will be recorded in the children’s Ideas book, which the children will continue to use throughout the school.
Impact
Our curriculum map has a rigorous approach to teaching the subject. Design and technology at Little Bowden allows pupils to be engaged, inspired and challenged. The impact of their topics will help them to gain the knowledge and skills to successfully research, design, make and evaluate products and apply this to solve real and relevant problems.
Children’s progress is monitored by using informal assessments such as observations throughout the research, design, make and evaluation stages of the project, also assessing the pupils by talking to them about their knowledge and understanding of the subject.
Books are monitored throughout the year and pupil voices are heard to ensure the content/skills are covered as planned and that children are retaining their knowledge and understanding. Monitoring will also ensure that children are able to use technical vocabulary linked to the subject.
Design and Technology curriculum
