Design Technology

Intent

The 2014 National Curriculum for Design and Technology aims to ensure that all children:
develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks
build and apply a repertoire of knowledge, understanding and skills
critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products and the work of others
understand and apply the principles of nutrition

“Design and technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. Using creativity and imagination, pupils design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values.” (National Curriculum 2014)

At Holmleigh, we passionately believe that all children should have access to a wide range of educational experiences and that Design and Technology provides the opportunity to a practical learning experience that is rich in creative problem-solving. We believe that a high quality design and technology education provides an important pathway for children to develop skills, knowledge and understanding of designing and making well designed and purposeful products. We want Holmleigh children to be designers so that we can build a community of critical thinkers and problem solvers who will be able to innovate in our rapidly changing world.

Implementation

Our Design and Technology lessons alternate with Art and are taught every other half term. We use the Design and Technology National Curriculum objectives to plan and deliver comprehensive, high quality lessons. Sessions primarily involve practical, hands on activities as well as researching and analysing existing products. Children are given the opportunity to use a wide range of materials and resources, including ICT. Children work within the following main areas of development during sessions; applying knowledge and understanding when developing ideas, planning, making products and evaluating

them. Children are encouraged to think and work independently, as well as cooperatively to evaluate, extend and improve their ideas. The Design and Technology topics are based on the following areas; cooking and nutrition, materials, construction including mechanics.

Impact

Our goal at Holmleigh is to ensure that children will achieve age related expectations in Design and Technology, and to build on skills which will enable them to make progress.

All children will have:

• Clear enjoyment and confidence in design and technology that they will then apply to other areas of the curriculum.
• Children will ultimately know more, remember more and understand more about Design Technology, demonstrating this knowledge when using tools or skills in other areas of the curriculum and in opportunities out of school.
• As designers children will develop skills and attributes they can use beyond school and into adulthood

Design & Technology Curriculum Overview