Intent
In Design Technology at Gwladys Street, we would like to ensure that all children leave with an enthusiasm and enjoyment for Design Technology, which is deeply rooted within an understanding of the processes in which it is involved. We will aim to do this by:
- Encouraging and developing creativity and imagination within the subject, and fostering an interest that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.
- Giving all children opportunities to investigate, design and make products, whilst enabling pupils to become resourceful and innovative. Children are able to solve real and relevant problems, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values.
- We aim to, wherever possible, link work to other areas of the curriculum such as mathematics, science, computing and art. The children are also given opportunities to reflect upon and evaluate past and present design technology, its uses and its effectiveness.
- We encourage our children to be ‘risk-takers’ and innovators to review and evaluate their work.
- Building on prior knowledge – this is a key part of our curriculum, allowing children to become fluent in understanding the impact Design Technology has on daily life and the wider world.
Implementation
Through focused teaching, children are taught to:
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 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 design and technology 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
• understand and use electrical systems in their products
• apply their understanding of computing to program, monitor and control their products
Impact
- Children will have clear enjoyment and confidence in Design and Technology that they will then apply to other areas of the curriculum.
- Children will ultimately know more, remember more and understand more about Design Technology, demonstrating this knowledge when using tools or skills in other areas of the curriculum and in opportunities out of school.
- The large majority of children will achieve age related expectations in Design Technology by the end of each year.
- As designers, children will develop skills and attributes they can use beyond school and into adulthood.
- Children will have an understanding of how Design and Technology has changed over time and the importance and impact in ‘real life’.
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