Junior School

Design and Technology

INTENT

At Leesland C of E School, Design and Technology (D/T) forms an important part of the curriculum. We believe D/T education stimulates creativity and imagination through problem solving and the production of quality products. As such we believe that it should be taught as an individual subject as well as incorporated into other curriculum lessons where appropriate.

We aim to teach them the necessary skills for pupils to grow their enthusiasm for D & T which will provide them with the inspiration to solve problems from the world in which they live. The essential skills they learn today lay the potential foundations for their future as designers, engineers, builders and the creators of the future.

Each unit of work that the children complete will begin with research, will move through the generations of ideas, communication through design before practical sessions where children make a product, learning to use appropriate tools safely. The children are given the opportunity to reflect upon and evaluate the success of their designs.

We believe that children’s skills of designing, making and evaluating should build as they move through the key stages, and use skills obtained in other curriculum areas. Each stage of the scheme of learning will encourage confidence, competence and creativity in their Design and Technology work.

IMPLEMENTATION

Design and technology is taught each term at Leesland C of E school. One unit of learning is planned for each term. Teaching is whole-class based, supported by appropriate differentiation. Pupils will experience working independently, in pairs or in small groups at different stages of the programme of study. Working with others allows for the skills of communication and co-operation to be promoted, as well as allowing pupils with expertise in specific areas to demonstrate these strengths.

Long term curriculum planning, for Design and Technology is created so that each programme of study (PoS) component is visited and revisited throughout the course of the academic year. The LTP covers the PoS as set out in the Primary National Curriculum.

In each unit of planning pupils will be taught how to:

Design
Make
Evaluate
Secure technical knowledge

These skills are supported by stands within the curriculum which allow pupils to retain and build upon previously learned skills. These strands are:

Textiles
Cooking and nutrition
Building structures
Mechanical systems
Electrical systems

There should be an emphasis on the teaching and modelling of appropriate technical language and vocabulary of design in order to develop the ability to accurately communicate key concepts with others.

Safety and DT:

When using tools and equipment pupils will only have access to age-appropriate tools. When making, children will be taught how each piece of equipment, that poses a potential hazard, should be used safely. This includes how they should be used around others and how they should be moved around the learning environment. Children will be monitored while using tools.

IMPACT

At Leesland C of E school we pride ourselves on providing high quality resources so that children are inspired to produce a high-quality outcome. Children are enthusiastic about making their DT projects. When talking to upper Key state 2 pupils, they will often talk about a memorable make from previous years.

DT projects give children the opportunity to work on a different set of skills. They enjoy the opportunity to work in teams and overcome problems in order to achieve success in their make.

It allows children to work on skills that they might not have access to in other areas of life. Working with wood and sewing fabric are important skills to learn and often children discover a natural ability with these materials.

As different skills are revisited throughout the key stage, there is progression within the makes. For example, in Year 3 the Christmas stockings are made with templates and basic stitching. In Year 5 they have progressed to more complicated stitching to improve the final appearance and producing their own templates and designs. Embellishments and use of different fabrics is also encouraged to be used on their finished article.

The quality of teaching is high. Teachers are able to use their own subject knowledge to bring projects to life. As a school, we strive to link the DT projects in with other curriculum areas. For example, in Year 5 the children focus on Antarctica in Geography then make a glove suitable for cold conditions in DT.

DT is celebrated at Leesland C of E school with high quality displays showing children’s finished makes. Displays are seen by the school and provides inspiration for future year groups.

Planning for each DT project is adapted from the MTP. The short-term planning is adapted by each year group to suit the needs of the current intake. As a school, the emphasis is on the DT skills rather than the literacy skills when recording especially in the research and evaluation stages of the make. Planning is differentiated to accommodate and support the needs of the pupils.

In DT, pupils show very good attitudes to learning. Well planned units mean pupils have clear models to follow, they plan well and make products that work. The DT curriculum is a strength within the wider whole school curriculum. It is enriching, exciting and enjoyed by pupils.

By the time pupils leave Leesland C of E school, they are able to produce clear designs which communicate ideas effectively. By the time they leave Leesland C of E school, they can evaluate the success of their designs and builds.

By the time pupils leave Leesland C of E school, they will experience the use of a variety of different materials for construction. e.g. textiles, electrics, food, wood and paper. They will also make products that are fit for the purpose intended.