Design & Technology

Intent

Within the Federation, we aim to teach Design and Technology as an inspiring and practical subject. Our intention is that the children will use their creativity and imagination to design and make products within a variety of contexts.

As well as designing, making and evaluating products, children will also be taught cooking and nutrition. We believe that instilling a love of cooking in our children will enable them to become more independent and prepare them for the future. We believe that, in this context, it is important that children learn the importance of a balanced diet and food hygiene.

The national curriculum for design and technology 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 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

The medium and long term planning incorporates a variety of creative and practical activities in order to ensure that the children are taught the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to engage in an iterative  process of designing, making and evaluating work so that their finished product becomes the best possible.

As well as following the National Curriculum we subscribe to the Design and Technology Association (DaTA) which offers up to date information, guidance and training in order to upskill teachers and keep our knowledge relevant and up to date.

In KS1 children are taught how to design, make and evaluate, and also gain specific technical knowledge. Cooking and nutrition enable the children to use the basic principles of a healthy, varied diet, to prepare food which does not require cooking and ensure that they understand where food comes from.

In KS2 children also design, make and evaluate products, but their technical knowledge is continually developed and built on existing skills to strengthen and reinforce more complex structures, such as using mechanical systems. They will apply their understanding of computing to program, monitor and control their products. The food and nutrition element of the subject will develop their knowledge of balanced diets and apply their skills from KS1 in order to prepare and cook a variety of savoury dishes using a range of cooking techniques. The children will also be taught to understand seasonality and know where and how a variety of ingredients are grown, reared, caught and processed.

Impact

It is our aim that:

• Most of the children will reach age related expectations when assessed
• The children will have a love of Design and Technology and be equipped with the skills to design, make and evaluate products successfully
• The children understand the importance of a healthy balanced diet and can create dishes which are nutritious and healthy
• The children are equipped with the necessary skills to build on and see the importance of engineering, construction and food technology in an ever changing world

For further information please contact our DT subject leader, Mrs Natasha Johnston (based at Askrigg) n.johnston1@b-a-wb.co.uk