Design and Technology

Our Vision for Design Technology

“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 make an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of the nation.” National Curriculum 2013

 At our school we aim to ensure all pupils:

• learn through a variety of creative and practical activities.
• are equipped with the knowledge, understanding and skills to engage successfully and with increasing independence in the process of designing and making.
• are given the opportunity to investigative and evaluative a range of existing products.
• use the knowledge gained when designing and making their own products.
• develop skills to be able to evaluate their products, considering the views of others and their own design criteria.
• look at design and technology in a wider context from foods around the world to looking at how kites have helped shape the world we live in.
• see how design and technology is integral to the modern world in which they live.

At St Mary’s we want our pupils to develop their creativity and imaginations through our Design and Technology curriculum. The children will be involved in a cycle – designing, making and evaluating of each product. They will also develop

their technical skills and about healthy eating and where food comes from. Our Design and Technology curriculum provides children with opportunities to develop their skills and knowledge using a range of media and materials.

Our D&T curriculum is broad and balanced and links to our wider curriculum where possible. We have developed a curriculum using ideas from others sources, that meets the needs and interests of our children and links to the wider St Mary’s curriculum. There are a full progression of skills and coverage of the national curriculum.

As we strive to develop citizens of the future that contribute to our local and global society, we recognise that a good Design and Technology curriculum supports this. We aspire to each child leaving St Mary’s with the confidence to have a go at solving real life problems and to reflect on the needs of others and use existing knowledge to support them. Children should learn to become resourceful, articulate, innovative and enterprising citizens who are not afraid to take risks when problem solving.

D&T Curriculum Map

D&T Progression Map