Design Technology Curriculum Lead
Ms. N Taylor
Curriculum Intent
At St John the Evangelist, we want children to use creativity, problem solving and imagination to design and make products that solve real and relevant problems. Design technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject which enables children to actively contribute to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of themselves, their community and their nation. DT provides opportunities for creative expression and problem-solving which are an important part of the personal development of an individual. Children have the opportunity to apply and continue to develop skills and knowledge from Mathematics, Science and other subjects within their Design Technology learning. Design Technology reflects our culture and society and so the teaching and learning of DT enables children to better understand the rapidly changing world they live in. Our Design Technology curriculum is progressive, exploratory, and inclusive, building continually upon prior learning and skills.
Our aim is to provide a curriculum that will allow the children to be:
• Creative, technical designers with a positive attitude to their own work.
• Able to develop skills to critique and evaluate their own ideas or products.
• Confident in applying a range of practical skills in the areas of textiles, resistant materials and food.
• Experienced in a range of design areas and explore the work of local, British and global designers throughout history.
We intend to build a Design Technology curriculum which develops learning and results in the acquisition of knowledge and skills. Children will know more, remember more and understand more. We intend to design a design technology curriculum with appropriate subject knowledge, skills and understanding as set out in the National Curriculum Design Technology Programmes of study, to fulfil the duties of the NC whereby schools must provide a balanced and broadly-based curriculum which promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of pupils and prepares them for the opportunities and responsibilities and experiences for later life.
Curriculum Implementation
As a school within the Bishop Hogarth Catholic Education Trust, we teach a progressive set of skills devised by subject specialists with industry knowledge in the field of Design Technology. Our curriculum aims to excite and ignite our pupils' interest in design and technology and prepares them to participate in the development of a rapidly changing world. The threshold concepts are taught sequentially over time to develop technical knowledge, skills and understanding from EYFS to Year 6 and beyond.
This ensures that progression of skills and understanding is clearly mapped from Early Years to the end of Key Stage 2. Design Technology is interwoven with other curriculum subjects, giving meaning to their learning.
The curriculum aims to ensure that all children:
- 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 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.
Curriculum Impact
When pupils leave our school, they will know more, remember more, and understand more about Design Technology. They will have 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 research, show initiative and ask questions to develop a detailed knowledge of users’ needs. Pupils will have the ability to act as responsible designers and makers, working ethically, using a range of materials carefully and working safely and hygienically. They will have thorough knowledge of which tools, equipment and materials to use to make a product. Children will have a firm foundation of knowledge and skills on which they will be able to build as they progress into Key Stage 3.