Intent

The aim of our Design and Technology curriculum is to equip our students with the skills to become resourceful, and innovative; enterprising and capable citizens in an increasingly technological world. Design and technology is an inspiring, practical subject and one that has to be studied with rigour, as such, children will use their creativity and imagination to design and make products that solve real and relevant problems. These will be within a variety of contexts, so that children consider their own and others’ needs, wants and values, as well as evaluating past and present design and technology so that they develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world.

Alongside the application of the aforementioned skills, children will acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw upon disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art. They will develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently including understanding and applying the principles of nutrition and learning how to cook.

 Implementation

Our Design and Technology curriculum at George Carey is based upon the 2014 National Curriculum. We use Knowledge Rich Projects that have been adapted to meet the needs of our pupils.  There are 6 units for Years 1 and 2, and 11 units for Years 3 to 6, all of which ensure coverage of knowledge and skills within the National Curriculum.  These lessons are taught progressively but links are made to our topics being taught where possible. They are made in order that our children make meaningful connections whilst building their schemata.

Design and Technology is through a thematic approach in EYFS and the focus is the exploration and experimentation with a wide range of exciting and interesting materials to support children’s imaginative and creative responses. 

Within our ARP, Design and Technology is taught thematically based upon the children’s specific needs and targets.

Essential Elements

Every child will:

• Use a range of tools, equipment and materials to design and make products based on design criteria
• Generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through talking, drawing, templates and mock-ups 
• Explore and evaluate a range of existing products
• Use practical skills and technical knowledge to improve products

Be taught how to prepare food and apply the principles of nutrition and healthy eating.

Impact

At George Carey our D&T Curriculum is high quality, well thought out and is planned to demonstrate progression. If children are keeping up with the curriculum, they are deemed to be making good or better progress. Impact is measured through a range of formative assessment throughout lessons and units to inform and allow them to make adaptations to planning as needed. Each lesson in a unit has outcomes, presented in the format ‘pupils with secure understanding’ and ‘pupils working at greater depth’ which correspond with the learning objective and therefore correspond to the National Curriculum Programmes of Study.