DT

What is DT?

Design and Technology is an inspiring practical subject which allows pupils to use their creativity and imagination to design, create and test innovative products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts.

Working as individuals and as part of a team, the children combine practical skills with an understanding of aesthetic, social and environmental issues. This allows them to reflect on and evaluate past and present technology and become more aware of the impact that their products and designs have on daily life and the wider world.

Intent

At Chidham the children are encouraged to be active learners with the confidence to ‘have a go,’ and the resilience to persist with a project when challenges occur.

The teaching of DT follows the design, make and evaluate cycle, combining skills, knowledge, concepts and values to enable children to tackle problems with a real-life context for learning. Making cross-curricular links wherever possible, DT links to other subject areas including maths, science, computing and art thereby enabling pupils to make connections in their learning.

Using inspiration from engineers, designers, chefs and architects, the children are encouraged to become innovators and risk-takers to enable them to create a range of structures, mechanisms, textiles, electrical systems and food products.

Our DT curriculum aims are:

· To enable children to talk about how things work, and to draw and model their ideas

· To develop imaginative thinking in children and to enable them to talk about what they like and dislike and why, when designing and making

· To encourage children to select appropriate tools and techniques for making a product whilst following safe procedures

· To foster enjoyment, satisfaction and purpose in designing and making

· To understand and apply the principles of nutrition and learn how to cook

· To evaluate and test their products, suggesting improvements

As pupils' journey through Chidham, they build upon prior learning, using the previous knowledge and skills taught in order to design and create more sophisticated models and systems of a high quality.

Implementation

There are a variety of exciting learning opportunities for children in design and technology which are taught using the design, make and evaluate cycle.

Design:

Rooted in real-life, relevant contexts, children design innovative products with a purpose and an intended user of the products in mind. They research key events and individual designers and develop criteria to inform the design of innovative, functional, appealing and fit-for-purpose products. Planning will be through appropriate formats including annotated sketches, using templates, communicating ideas verbally and constructing prototypes/’mock-ups’. Computing will, at times, be used to assist our designing and learning.

Make:

Whilst making, children select from and use a range of tools, materials and components including textiles, construction equipment and ingredients, according to their functional properties and aesthetic qualities. They build on and apply a repertoire of knowledge, understanding and skills, including cutting, shaping, joining and finishing, in order to make high-quality prototypes and products for a range of users. During the making process, children will reflect on their designs and the techniques they are using considering how these can be developed and improved.

Evaluate:

Children at Chidham learn to critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products as well as the work of others. They investigate and analyse a range of existing products to understand how individuals and key events have shaped design and technology globally. In addition, they learn to evaluate their work against their own design criteria and consider the views of others in order to improve their work.

Technical knowledge:

Pupils will learn how to strengthen, stiffen and reinforce more complex structures and understand and use mechanical systems in their products, for example gears, pulleys, cams, levers and linkages.

The children will have the opportunity to learn about and use electrical systems in their products ie. series circuits incorporating switches, bulbs, buzzers and motors.

Cooking and nutrition:

Whilst being taught to apply the principles of nutrition and healthy eating, pupils will be taught how to weigh and measure ingredients and cook a variety of recipes during their time at Chidham. They will learn about where food comes from, understanding seasonality and how a variety of ingredients are grown, reared, caught and processed.

Assessment of children's learning in DT takes the form of ongoing monitoring of children's understanding, knowledge and skills using key questioning built into lessons

by the class teacher. Child-led assessment such as success criteria is also used to inform the differentiation, support and challenge required by the children.

Design Technology will also be monitored by the subject leader throughout the year in the form of collection of photographic evidence, looking at outcomes measured against age-based progression and pupil interviews to discuss their learning. This tangible evidence aids understanding and establishes the impact of the teaching taking place and the consistency achieved throughout the school.

Impact

As they progress through each year group the children will retain prior-learning and explicitly make connections between what they have previously learnt and what they are currently learning. They will know more and understand more about DT and design and technology vocabulary will be spoken and used by all learners.

By the time the children leave our school they will have:

· 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 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.

Design technology helps children to improve their analytical skills, problem solving, practical capability and evaluation skills. Children will be equipped with skills and knowledge that will enable them to be ready for the curriculum at Key Stage 3 and for life as a capable citizen in the wider world.

Please click here to view our DT Knowledge Progression document