INTENT

Design and technology prepares children to take part in the development of tomorrow’s rapidly changing world.  Therefore, we want the pupils at Heatherside Junior School to develop their imagination, their critical thinking and their understanding of the world around them through their love of Design and Technology. We aim to enable children to become autonomous and keen problem-solvers, both as individuals and as part of a team. By engaging in design and technology, children will learn how to think and plan in a logical sequence to overcome problems and find possible solutions. Our broad curriculum allows pupils to use their ideas and imagination to design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others' needs and values; making links and connections between subjects including S.T.E.M. (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths).  We evaluate past and present design technology and the ways these have influenced modern society. The pupils are taught to combine their designing and making skills with knowledge and understanding in order to design and make a product. Our Growth Mindset approach at Heatherside is especially relevant to the DT curriculum, where mistakes and failures are sometimes necessary aspects of a design process.

 

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

IMPLEMENTATION

Through a variety of creative and practical activities, we teach the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to engage in the process of designing and making in the five main domains: textiles, cooking and nutrition, mechanisms, electrical control and structures. Pupils design and make innovative, high-quality products with a clear purpose in mind and an intended user of the products. Design and Technology is planned as a discrete subject but, wherever possible, we make links with other topics being taught. Sometimes we may deliver design and technology in longer blocked sessions or in a condensed two or three-day timeframe to give greater coherence to pupils’ learning and enable ongoing modifications and improvements to be made. 

Using the National Curriculum as a basis for our planning, our DT units across the school provide children with opportunities to learn and develop a range of skills through the Design, Make and Evaluate approach. Our progression of skills is used to help children acquire, use and then apply practical knowledge and skills to projects which include electrical components, moving mechanisms, computer-aided design and textiles.  They will also learn about the importance of a healthy diet, where food comes from and how to prepare it.  

Design and Technology also embeds our Heatherside Junior School learning values. It is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject, requiring collaboration, independence, thinking, creativity, reflection, curiosity as well as collaboration. Pupils design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts. It is cross - curricular and draws upon subject knowledge and skills in other subjects. Children learn to take risks, be reflective, be innovative and resilient. Through the evaluation of past and present technology, they can reflect upon the impact of Design Technology on everyday life and the wider world.

In addition to our DT curriculum, we provide a range of additional opportunities for children to develop and use their DT skills. These include Mix-Up Mornings where children take part in a challenge task, theme Weeks/Days, family Afternoons and homework activities.  The school also has a Children’s Kitchen and through the support of parent helpers, offers all children the chance to cook three times a year additional to the National Curriculum expectations.

IMPACT

By the time pupils leave Heatherside Junior School, they will have:

• An excellent attitude towards 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 a detailed knowledge of users’ needs.
• The ability to act as responsible designers and makers, working ethically, using a range of 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 and skills accurately.
• The ability to manage risks, be resourceful, innovative and enterprising to manufacture products safely and hygienically.
• A passion for the subject

Assessment of pupil's learning in Design and Technology takes the form of ongoing monitoring of pupil's understanding, knowledge and skills built into lessons by the class teacher. Summative assessment is conducted termly by class teachers across each year group using Design and Technology objectives set out in the National Curriculum and key skills highlighted in our Heatherside Junior School Assessment document.  The children collate all their DT work in their DT project files which go through the school with them.

Also, the assessment process is aimed at targeting next steps in learning as well as informing the subject leader of progress and knowledge still to be embedded as well as future training requirements for staff. Design and Technology is also monitored by the subject leader throughout the year in the form of collection of evidence (photos and scans), book monitoring, looking at outcomes measured against age-based progression and pupil conferencing. This tangible evidence aids understanding and establishes the impact of the teaching taking place. The impact of using the full range of tools and resources, will be seen across the school with an increase in the profile of Design and Technology.