Design Technology

Intent

Design and Technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. 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 Stephens, 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, 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

Through 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 contexts (for example home, school, leisure, culture, enterprise, industry and the wider environment) in order to engage in real-life, relevant and meaningful problem solving activities. The 6 principles of design and technology (user, purpose, innovation, authenticity, functionality and design decisions) will be at the forefront of all teaching to ensure authentic design and technology learning. Design and technology will be taught through three types of activity: Investigate and Evaluate Activities (IEAs); Focused Tasks; and Design, Make and Evaluate Activities (DMEAs). Through IEAs and FTs, children will be equipped with the knowledge, understanding and skill to engage successfully  and independently in a DMEAs. Where applicable, harmonious and intricate links will be made to other subjects including mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art in order to support the learning within design and technology.Children will participate in 3 x 12 hour design and technology projects per year - one of which will be food and nutrition. Our D&T curriculum has been designed to ensure that children’s learning from previous years will be revisited and reused in more sophisticated ways than in the subsequent key stages as well as introducing new skills and concepts to ensure progression.

Impact

We ensure the children develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world. They 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 and critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products and the work of others. Children will also explore, 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. Our high-quality design and technology education aims to ensure our children can make an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of the nation.

 The Subject Leader for Design Technology is Miss S Hall.

Design_Technology_Progression_Map.pdf