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Design Technology

"Design and technology should be the subject where mathematical brainboxes and science whizzkids turn their bright ideas into useful products." James Dyson

INTENT

At Maple Tree Primary School we provide an inspiring, balanced and broad curriculum, which engages all children and promotes a love of exploring how and why different machines, mechanisms and technologies work. We aim to draw on children’s knowledge and understanding from mathematics, computing, art and science. Our children try to develop their critical understanding through taking risks, evaluating present day designs and technologies and through considering a wide range of users. 

Design Technology encourages children to learn to think creatively to solve problems both as individuals and a member of a team. At MTPS, we encourage children to use their creativity and imagination, to design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. We would love our children to leave Year 6 with a drive to enter the world of work with the aspiration of developing creative tech-based solutions to existing problems.

Please click the image below to see our whole school overview for Design Technology. 

 

IMPLEMENTATION

We teach the National Curriculum which is supported by clear progression of skills and knowledge. This ensures that skills and knowledge are built on year by year and sequenced appropriately in order to maximise learning for all children. All teaching of DT continues to follow the design, make and evaluate cycle, exploring innovative designs that inspire us to make life better through design and technology. Each stage should be rooted in technical knowledge. The design process explores real life, relevant contexts in order to give meaning to learning. While designing and making, we aim to equip children with choice and a range of tools to choose freely from. Children are encouraged to evaluate their own products against a relevant criteria. Each of these steps reflect and develop the use of technical knowledge and vocabulary.

Design and technology is usually project based and teachers may decide to teach it as a block through a ‘DT week’, or in weekly sessions. This may change depending on the outcome of the project.

In Early years, pupils explore and use a variety of media and materials through a range of both child-led and adult-led learning activities. Children’s interests are explored when they arise in order to build a sense of curiosity and interest. Inside, pupils explore and experiment with construction kits and ‘junk modelling’ materials, and are encouraged to try new ways of constructing models. A range of cutting and joining resources are always available to find new and innovative solutions. Outside, pupils explore construction and design further through forest school, exploring design and technology skills through enriched experiences. Den making, village building and constructing with a purpose is continuously explored.

This love of learning is developed upon in Key stage 1 and Key stage 2, with an emphasis on exploring materials and using new resources in order to create a range of outcomes (written in the overview). Through presenting, explaining and using these products, pupils are able to articulate how the meet the needs and wants of our local community.

IMPACT

Assessment of children's learning in Design Technology is an ongoing monitoring of children's understanding, knowledge and skills by the class teacher, throughout sequenced units of work. This assessment is then used to inform differentiation, support and challenge each pupil in future lessons.