John Perryn Primary School John Perryn Primary School

DT

Design and Technology at John Perryn

 

Intent

At John Perryn Primary School we intend to build a Design Technology curriculum which is inspiring and practical. We want our children to use creativity and imagination, to design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values.

Our intention is for all children to be able to acquire appropriate subject knowledge, skills and understanding as set out in the National Curriculum. It is our responsibility and aim to create strong cross curricular links with other subjects, such as Mathematics, Science, Computing, Geography, History, RE and Art. We want Design and Technology to prepare our children, to give them the opportunities, responsibilities, and experiences they need to be successful later life.

 

The National Curriculum aims to ensure that all pupils:

• 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.

 

Aims and Objectives

 

  • To deliver programmes of study for Key Stages 1 and 2 of the National Curriculum in design and technology;
  • To develop imaginative thinking in children and to enable them to talk about what they like and dislike when designing and making;
  • To enable children to talk about how things work, and to draw and model their ideas;
  • To encourage children to select appropriate tools and techniques for making a product, whilst following safe procedures;
  • To explore attitudes towards the made world and how we live and work within it;
  • To develop an understanding of technological processes, products, and their manufacture, and their contribution to our society;
  • To foster enjoyment, satisfaction and purpose in designing and making
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Implementation

In line with this, all children are exposed to a range of construction materials, tools & equipment and project brief. Children develop their further understanding of D&T through school visits to museums and art galleries. Links are made with other subject areas wherever possible & Design and Technology skills are often taught with sustainability and healthy eating themes in mind.

We recognise that the best prevention for a lot of issues we currently see with quality of products and sustainability is through education and open, trusting conversations within the classroom. We therefore focus closely on skills of creativity, problem-solving and team-work in order to meet the needs of target customer. Links are made to Global Goals of sustainability. 

We recognise that design can allow pupils to think creatively to solve a problem. Our knowledge rich curriculum has to be balanced with the opportunity for pupils to apply their knowledge creatively which will in turn help our pupils become skilful product designers, mechanical engineers and dressmakers, architects and food technologists. 

We strive to embed D&T across the whole curriculum, where possible, to make learning creative and accessible. We want our pupils to be fluent with a range of vocabulary to best communicate their design ideas. By the time children reach Upper Key Stage 2, they will have the independence and confidence to choose the best materials, tools and necessary skills to fulfil the task and challenge set.

 

Impact

Children will have clear enjoyment and confidence in Design and Technology that they will then apply to other areas of the curriculum. Through carefully planned and implemented learning activities the pupils develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world. They gain a firm foundation of knowledge and skills to see them equipped to take on further learning in High School. Pupil’s skills and knowledge are assessed by the class teacher, throughout lessons termly. This informs the Design and Technology subject leader of any further areas for curriculum development, pupil support and/or training requirements for staff. EYFS pupils' progress and attainment tells us whether each individual child is below expected, at expected or above expected attainment for their age.

DT Whole School Overview

D&T