Design and Technology
Intent
At Dunston Primary and Nursery Academy, Design & Technology is an inspiring and practical subject that stimulates pupils not only to be innovative but also creative. Design & Technology encourages pupils through a broad range of practical experiences to create innovative designs which solve real and relevant problems within a variety of different contexts.
Implementation
We follow the Kapow Design and Technology scheme of work. It offers a clear programme of study which meets our vision and enables pupils to meet the National Curriculum end of key stage attainment targets. The scheme gives pupils the opportunity to make their own creative choices and decisions, so that their design outcomes, whilst still being knowledge-rich, are unique to the pupil and personal.
The scheme of work organizes the Design and Technology attainment targets under five strands, with a clear progression of skills and knowledge within these five strands across each year group:
- Design
- Make
- Evaluate
- Technical knowledge
- Cooking and Nutrition
Pupils develop their skills in six key areas:
- Mechanisms
- Structures
- Textiles
- Cooking and Nutrition (Food)
- Electrical systems (KS2)
- Digital World (KS2)
Each area follows the design process (design, make and evaluate) and has a particular theme and focus from the technical knowledge or cooking and nutrition section of the curriculum. The scheme is a spiral curriculum, with key areas revisited again and again with increasing complexity, allowing pupils to revisit and build on their previous learning.
Foundation Stage pupils are provided with opportunities to access design and technology through play on a daily basis. Some skills will be taught directly whilst others will be encouraged through play.
In Key Stages 1 and 2, all classes have a scheduled Design and Technology lesson each week every other half term (alternated with Art and Design). Lessons incorporate a range of teaching strategies including practical hands-on, computer-based and inventive tasks.
Impact
Pupils will:
- Understand the functional and aesthetic properties of a range of materials and resources
- Understand how to use and combine tools to carry out different processes for shaping, decorating, and manufacturing products
- Build and apply a repertoire of skills, knowledge and understanding to produce high quality, innovative outcomes, including models, prototypes, and products to fulfil the needs of users, clients, and scenarios
- Understand and apply the principles of healthy eating, diets, and recipes, including key process, food groups and cooking equipment
- Have an appreciation for key individuals, inventions and events in history and of today that impact our world
- Recognise where our decisions can impact the wider world in terms of community, social and environmental issues
- Self-evaluate and reflect on learning at different stages and identify areas to improve
- Meet the end of key stage expectations outlined in the National Curriculum for Design and Technology