Design and Technology
St Edward’s Values: Thankfulness, Forgiveness, Compassion, Perseverance, Courage, Friendship
‘I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.’ (John 10:10)
St Edward’s Values: Thankfulness, Forgiveness, Compassion, Perseverance, Courage, Friendship
‘I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.’ (John 10:10)
Design and Technology Curriculum at St Edward’s
Intent
‘Good buildings come from good people, and all problems are solved by good design.’Stephen Gardiner
‘Design is intelligence made visible’ Alina Wheeler
At St Edward’s we recognise that Design and Technology has a vital place in education and the wider community.
Through design and technology we encourage pupils to become independent, creative problem-solvers and thinkers as individuals and as part of a team. This allows them to make positive changes to their quality of life.
Design and technology is an inspiring, meticulous and practical subject. Using creativity and imagination, pupils design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, therefore helping pupils to acquire the skills needed to be successful in later life. Pupils learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens. We aim wherever possible to draw on disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art.
Coverage
At St Edwards our Design and Technology curriculum is designed to ensure high achievement for all pupils where learning will improve pupils’ life opportunities. Design and Technology is planned in line with the statements laid out in the national curriculum with cross-curricular links included in our Cornerstones topics. Our curriculum 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.
A Curriculum for Our Children
We have identified some core barriers that the children of our school face when they are accessing the curriculum, and we intend to deliver the Design and Technology curriculum with an approach that addresses these:
- Limited vocabulary – during lessons children will be introduced to a variety of specific vocabulary and will be helped to understand the words in a meaningful context.
- Poor communication and team-work skills – Children are given plenty of opportunity to work as part of a team, where they will consider their own and others’ needs, wants and values.
- Weak resilience – we design challenging tasks in our Design and Technology curriculum, allowing children to take risks in a safe environment where growth mindset is incorporated to help pupils achieve.
Implementation
Key skills and key knowledge for Design and Technology have been mapped across the school to ensure progression between year groups. This also 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 through the units of work. Design and Technology lessons are taught as a block so that children’s learning is focused throughout each unit of work.
Impact
Our curriculum ensures the children develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasing technological world. Each year they build on 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 develop the ability to critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products. The children understand and apply the principles of cooking and nutrition, the activities are made appropriate to the age and ability of the child with a clear emphasis on health and safety when preparing and handling food.
Children learn how to take risks, manage challenge, and become resourceful, innovative, enterprising citizen. Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, they develop a sound understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world.
National Curriculum Aims:
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.