Design & Technology

Design and Technology – Statement of Curriculum Intent  

“When people talk about innovation in this decade, they really mean design.” - Bruce Nussbaum.

 

At All Cannings school, our ambition is that all children are designers.  Through our progressive curriculum, we encourage our children to be inspired to create a range of structures, mechanisms, electrical systems and food products.

We are committed to providing children with opportunities to develop and apply a repertoire of knowledge, understanding and skills in order to design and produce high-quality prototypes and products for a range of contexts and audiences.  They are encouraged to be resilient when designing and creating, and to evaluate their own ideas and products and the work of others.  We aim to, wherever possible, link learning to other curriculum areas such as History, Art and Science.  

Our intent is to support children to develop the creative and practical expertise needed to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world and to actively encourage them to consider issues such as enterprise and sustainability.  We aim to help children to learn to apply and use their growing skills to solve a range of problems in everyday life.  

When leaving us in Year 6, we want our pupils to be equipped with not only the minimum statutory requirements of the DT National curriculum, but prepared with the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences for later life.

We achieve this by providing a rich and diverse curriculum, underpinned by our school’s Christian values of Wisdom, Generosity, Koinonia, Compassion, Peace and Joy and linked by our ‘golden threads’.  This enables every member of the school community to recognise and show that learning makes a difference.

 

Implementation

D&T is taught in blocks at All Cannings by presenting the children with real-life situations or challenges linked to other areas of the curriculum.  They take inspiration from design throughout history or across the wider world, and learn to generate ideas for designs or solutions to problems.  They explore and practise the practical skills involved in the topic and design, make, evaluate and refine their final products.  The development of appropriate technical knowledge and vocabulary takes place throughout the process.  

Design

• use research and develop design criteria to inform the design of innovative, functional, appealing products that are fit for purpose, aimed at particular individuals or groups
• generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through discussion, annotated sketches, cross-sectional and exploded diagrams, prototypes, pattern pieces and computer-aided design 

Make

• select from and use a wider range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks [for example, cutting, shaping, joining and finishing], accurately
• select from and use a wider range of materials and components, including construction materials, textiles and ingredients, according to their functional properties and aesthetic qualities 

Evaluate

• investigate and analyse a range of existing products
• evaluate their ideas and products against their own design criteria and consider the views of others to improve their work
• understand how key events and individuals in D&T have helped shape the world 

Technical knowledge

• apply their understanding of how to strengthen, stiffen and reinforce more complex structures
• understand and use mechanical systems in their products [for example, gears, pulleys, cams, levers and linkages]
• understand and use electrical systems in their products [for example, series circuits incorporating switches, bulbs, buzzers and motors]
• apply their understanding of computing to program, monitor and control their products

Cooking and nutrition 

• understand where food comes from and its variation across the world
• prepare and cook a variety of dishes using a range of cooking techniques
• understand and apply the principles nutrition within a healthy and varied diet

The following personal characteristics underpin our learning in D&T and our development of the children as designers:

• Significant levels of originality and the willingness to take creative risks to produce innovative ideas and prototypes.
• An excellent attitude to learning and independent working and passion for the subject and knowledge of, up-to-date technological innovations in materials, products and systems.
• The ability to use time efficiently and work constructively and productively with others.
• The ability to carry out thorough research, show initiative and ask questions to develop an exceptionally detailed knowledge of users’ needs.
• The ability to act as responsible designers and makers, working ethically, using finite materials carefully and working safely.
• A thorough knowledge of which tools, equipment and materials to use to make their products.
• The ability to apply mathematical knowledge.
• The ability to manage risks exceptionally well to manufacture products safely and hygienically.

D&T 2022-23

 Impact

Through the evaluation of past and present D&T technology, our children develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life in the wider world.  Children design and make a range of products throughout school and recognise the importance of an age-appropriate, good quality finish.  Children understand and apply the principles of nutrition and learn how to cook.  Children learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens.  They understand high quality design and technology skills and will learn to make an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and future wellbeing of the nation.  When leaving us in Year 6, our pupils are equipped with not only the minimum statutory requirements of the DT National Curriculum, but are prepared with the design challenges and opportunities they will encounter throughout their school career and in later life.

Progression in skills - Design & Technology