“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.”
Primary National Curriculum for Design and Technology 2014
DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY CURRICULUM STATEMENT
At Alfriston, we wish to prepare our pupils for living and working in a technological world. This is achieved by teaching technical understanding, designing and making skills. We want to encourage children to learn to think and intervene creatively to solve problems both as individuals and as members of a team. Design and Technology stimulates both intellectual and creative abilities and develops the personal qualities needed to complete a design project from initial ideas to a finished product.
OUT CURRICULUM INTENT FOR DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY
With these aspirations, our intent for the Design and Technology curriculum is:
- To develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world;
- To 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;
- To critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products and the work of others;
- To understand and apply the principles of nutrition and learn how to cook.
HOW WE IMPLEMENT OUR INTENTIONS
At Alfriston Primary School, we use Kapow Primary’s Design & Technology scheme to support our delivery. Each lesson of the units aims to capture the interest and enthusiasm of our children.
The Early Years Foundation Stage uses the Kapow Design & Technology scheme of work, in line with the whole school, alongside continuous provision opportunities to support the children's emerging needs and interests. This combination of careful planning provides all children with the key skills and knowledge to succeed in Key Stage 1. Teachers use quality interactions and 'in the moment planning' to draw out children's next steps and adapt provision as required to provide both challenge and support.
Our children in Key Stage 1 and 2 respond to design briefs and scenarios that require the consideration of the needs of others and aim to develop their skills in six key areas:
- Mechanisms/Mechanical Systems
- Structures
- Textiles
- Cooking and Nutrition
- Electrical Systems (KS2)
- Digital World (KS2)
There are four strands that run throughout all these areas:
- Design
- Make
- Evaluate
- Technical knowledge
Design & Technology is taught alternatively with Art & Design. In our Key Stage 1 and 2 classes, it is delivered over a two-year cycle to ensure that all skills and knowledge are delivered to all our year groups. Each lesson is approximately 1.5 hours long per week with added time when needed to complete projects. Skills and knowledge taught in Design & Technology are referred to across other curriculum subjects.
The Kapow Primary scheme is a spiral scheme where key areas are revisited and repeated with an increased complexity allowing our children to build upon their previous knowledge. Each lesson incorporates a range of teaching strategies to support the differing learning styles of our children. Lessons can be differentiated to stretch the more able children as well as allow a fully accessible resource for all children irrespective of their individual needs. Knowledge organisers are used to support the delivery of each unit which also helps the consolidation of new learning.
Kapow Primary’s scheme includes teacher videos for each unit which support staff professional development and allows them to see how the project is executed step by step before teaching to the children in their class. This ensures that lessons are delivered to a high standard that ensures progression for all children.
Staff have access to a subject-specific cupboards which include all the clearly labelled resources needed for the projects and a robust system is in place to manage the replenishment of resources.
