Intent
Purpose of study

Design and technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. Using creativity and imagination, pupils design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. They acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art. Pupils learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens. Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, they develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world. High-quality design and technology education makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of the nation.

Aims

The national curriculum for design and technology 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

At Eastlands staff have a passion for high quality teaching and learning of Design and Technology. We believe Design and Technology prepares children to deal with tomorrow's rapidly changing world. It encourages children to become independent, creative problem solvers and thinkers as individuals and part of a team. It enables them to identify needs and opportunities and to respond to them by developing a range of ideas and by making products and systems. Through the study of Design and Technology, they combine practical skills with an understanding of aesthetic, social and environmental issues, as well as functions and industry. This allows them to reflect on and evaluate past and present technology, it’s uses and impacts.

At Eastlands we believe in the importance of genuine D&T experiences for children. The National Curriculum Expert Group for D&T have agreed on six characteristics of a genuine D&T experience for children.

• User - Pupils should have a clear idea of who they are designing and making products for, considering their needs and wants. The intended user could be themselves or others, an imaginary or story-based character.
• Purpose - Pupils should be able to clearly communicate the purpose of the products they are designing and making. Each product they make should be designed to perform one or more defined tasks. Pupils’ products should be evaluated through use.
• Functionality - Pupils should design and make products that work/function effectively in order to fulfil users’ needs, wants and purposes.
• Design Decisions- Pupils need opportunities to make their own design decisions. Making design decisions allows pupils to demonstrate their creative, technical and practical expertise, and draw on learning from other subjects.
• Innovations -When designing and making, pupils need some scope to be original with their thinking. Projects that encourage innovation are characterised by engaging open-ended starting points for learning.
• Authenticity - Pupils should design and make products that are believable, real and meaningful to themselves and others.

Implementation

At Eastlands staff use the D&T associations ‘Project on a Page’ planners to ensure curriculum coverage and progression across D&T projects.

The basis for this scheme of work is a series of 21 A3 size ‘project planners’ that give scope for teachers to use their creativity and professional judgment, whilst ensuring the quality, integrity and rigour of children’s learning. Each planner is accompanied by sketches and diagrams in a help sheet format to support teachers when they are delivering the project in the classroom. Also included are suggestions on class organisation, teaching tips and techniques, links to resources and a glossary of technical terminology related to the project. Food technology is implemented across the school as children develop an understanding of where food comes from, the importance of a varied and healthy diet and how to prepare this. Through planning projects using the ‘Project on a Page’ planners all children will have the opportunities to experience Focused Practical Tasks (FPTs) in order to develop practical and evaluative skills before applying this to Design and Make Activities (DMAs.)

Pupils design and make products that solve real and relevant problems with a variety of contexts. It is very cross-curricular and draws upon subject knowledge and skills within Mathematics, Science, History, Computing and Art. Children learnt to take risks, be reflective, innovative, enterprising and resilient. Through the evaluation of past and present technology they can reflect upon the impact of D&T of everyday life and the wider world.

Early Years Foundation Stage

During the EYFS pupils explore and use a variety of media and materials through a combination of child initiated and adult directed activities. They have opportunities to learn to:

• Use different media and materials to express their own ideas.
• Use what they have learnt about media and materials in original ways, thinking about form, function and purpose.
• Make plans and construct with a purpose in mind using a variety of resources.
• Develop skills to use simple tools and techniques appropriately, effectively and safely.
• Select appropriate resources for a product and adapt their work where necessary.
• Cook and prepare food adhering to good health and hygiene routines.

Design and Technology Subject Drivers

Impact

We ensure our 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 and 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. Children will design and make a range of products. A good quality finish will be expected in all design and activities made appropriate to the age and ability of the child
• Children learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens. Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, they develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world. High-quality design and technology education makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of the nation.

Coming soon