Design and Technology
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. They acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art. Pupils 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. High-quality design and technology education makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of the nation. (National Curriculum 2014)
Intent
The National curriculum for design and technology aims to ensure that all pupils develop the creative, technical and practical experience needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world. Pupils can 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 can critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products and the work of others. Pupils can understand and apply the principles of nutrition and learn how to cook.
At Scotton Lingerfield School our aim is to inspire pupils to be innovative and creative thinkers who have an appreciation for the product design cycle through ideation, creation and evaluation. We want pupils to develop the confidence to take risks, through drafting design concepts, modelling, and testing and to be reflective learners who evaluate their work and the work of others. We use the Kapow scheme of work, through which, we aim to build an awareness of the impact of design and technology on our lives and encourage pupils to become resourceful, enterprising citizens who will have the skills to contribute to future design advancements.
The Kapow scheme of work enables pupils to meet the aims of the National Curriculum.
Implementation
At Scotton Lingerfield School, staff follow a coherently planned sequence of lessons from the Kapow scheme of work. This ensures that pupils develop a clear understanding of the knowledge, skills and vocabulary progressively and the aims of the National Curriculum are met. All teaching of design and technology teaching follows the design and make cycle with evaluation encouraged throughout the unit. Design and Technology is taught half-termly in blocks alternated with art and design.
Pupils are encouraged to apply their technical knowledge to design, make and evaluate products, that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts. They design and create products that consider user needs and which are relevant to a range of sectors (e.g., the home, school, leisure, culture, enterprise, industry and the wider environment). The process is rooted in real life, relevant contexts to give meaning to learning. Sketch books are utilised during the design process to encourage creativity and highlight the importance of design development.
To inform their design, pupils are given the opportunity to reflect upon and evaluate the products of individual designers and companies past and present, focusing on their products’ uses and effectiveness. They do this in a variety of ways including sketching, collecting materials and making prototypes. Evaluation is an integral part of the design process and allows children to come up with their own ideas, adapt and improve their products throughout the designing and making process, with a focus on user needs.
While making, children are given a choice and a range of tools to choose freely from. Evaluation of their products is prevalent during the making stage, so that they can perfect their product for its intended purpose.
Links are made with topics where appropriate, capturing children’s interest and giving meaning to their learning. We aim to, wherever possible, link work to other disciplines such as mathematics, science, computing and art, giving children the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills across the curriculum. Skills are taught progressively, building on previous knowledge, as they move through the school.
Impact
The design and technology curriculum will contribute to pupils’ personal development in creativity, independence, judgement and self-reflection. They will evidence this through their ability to talk confidently about their work.
Pupils will leave Scotton Lingerfield with good knowledge and skills in DT which will enable them to embrace their future learning in KS3 and beyond.
Assessment and Monitoring
At the beginning of each unit, children complete a pre-unit task to ascertain their understanding and allow gaps in learning to be identified. In art this is structured in a way to not only check knowledge and skills but also creativity. This enables the teacher to provide additional support if required.
Following each unit, children complete the post-unit assessment at spaced intervals. These recalls allow children to recall previously learnt knowledge and skills. Children are supported in addressing these gaps throughout these sessions.
Regular recalls support assessment of children. Results are added to tracking grids, which support end of year judgements.
The subject leader monitors the subject through:
- Learning walks
- Book Scrutiny
- Planning Scrutiny
- Data/assessment scrutiny
- Pupil voice
