Design and Technology

Rationale- What has informed our curriculum design in design and technology?

Design and Technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. It encourages children to learn to think and intervene creatively to solve problems both as individuals and as members of a team. At Pomphlett, 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.

Intent - What are our aims?

Design and Technology at Pomphlett intends to engage, inspire and challenge pupils. It equips them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own product designs, to find solutions to problems, whilst also exploring food choices and nutrition. It is our intention that children will:

• Develop the skills needed to make high quality products
• See design as a process and develop their own thinking within this
• Appreciate how the design process that has influenced the products we use in everyday life.

Implementation- How do we do this?

Through our DT curriculum, children are inspired by engineers, designers, chefs and architects to enable them to create a range of structures, mechanisms, textiles, electrical systems and food products with a real purpose. Children evaluate products from the past and the present which enable them to develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world.

Design and Technology has been carefully incorporated into our units of work allowing children to review prior learning and design with purpose, creating functional and appealing products.  This also enables children to develop skills and use of tools as well as experimenting with a range of materials.

Design and technology lessons are delivered by class teachers through carefully planned units of work which group design and technology themes alongside other curriculum areas. Our knowledge organisers identify the knowledge, vocabulary and disciplinary skills that will be covered in each unit. These knowledge organisers are used both in lessons and at home to reinforce learning. Our curriculum is progressive. We build upon the learning and skill development of the previous years, beginning each unit and lesson with teacher assessments of what children already know in order to inform the learning that follows. Teachers use precise questioning alongside observation to evaluate conceptual knowledge and skills. They create engaging sequences of carefully planned lessons, drawing from a wide range of high quality sources and resources in order to aid understanding of conceptual and disciplinary knowledge. Opportunities are planned in across the year for pupils to put these skills into practice such as in our annual ‘Bake Off’ challenge where children raise money through designing and making a food product to sell including its packaging. There are also a number of enrichment activities across the year, in year groups and across classes, for example in our art, design and technology, and STEM based theme weeks.

Impact - How do we know this?

As a result of our high quality design and technology provision, we have a community of designers, who understand the importance that design plays in our everyday lives. We expect that our designers will show:

• Significant levels of originality and the willingness to take creative risks to produce innovative ideas and prototypes.

• An excellent attitude to learning and independent working.

• The ability to use time efficiently and work constructively and productively with others.

• The ability to carry out thorough research, show initiative and ask questions to develop an exceptionally detailed knowledge of users’ needs.

• The ability to act as responsible designers and makers, working ethically, using finite materials carefully and working safely.

• A thorough knowledge of which tools, equipment and materials to use to make their products.

• The ability to apply mathematical knowledge.

• The ability to manage risks exceptionally well to manufacture products safely and hygienically.

• A passion for the subject and knowledge of, up-to-date technological innovations in materials, products and systems.

They will leave our school with a self-confidence enabling them to take risks, the ability to be resourceful and innovative, and with a real appreciation for the contribution that designers have made to society.