This document clarifies the how, why, and what with regard to design and technology teaching is offered across the federation.

Design and Technology is a practical and creative subject, which will equip children with many of the life-skills they will need for the future and aspire to generate innovative forward thinkers capable of solving problems in environmentally and sustainable ways that seek to protect and prosper our world and its inhabitants.

Learning about how to fix things, build things, create and problem-solve are vital, and encompass some of the main skills that we want children to have when they leave our federation. Design and Technology is all about solving real problems, and as such, is taught in the context of lots of different disciplines; children will use their understanding of Design and Technology which links to other subjects including science, computing, geography, and learn about food and nutrition within Science. They will use their design skills to explore and create art, investigating the work of local designers and through history, learn how design and technology has helped shape the world.

Following the National Curriculum in England 2014 framework as the basis for our curriculum planning, our long term plan uses year group projects linked to the humanities subjects. When appropriate, design and technology will be linked to their themes. Across the federation, we use the DT Association’s Projects on a Page to realise our aim to provide excellent teaching and learning within DT. Pupils of all abilities are facilitated to enable pupils to develop their skills and knowledge in each teaching unit, the planned progression built into the Design and Technology curriculum means that the pupils are increasingly challenged as they move through the school.

Pupils undertake a termly Design and Technology project at least three times a year. Design and Technology is taught throughout the year including Mechanisms, Food, Structures, Textiles (KS1 and KS2) and Electrical Systems (KS2). We encourage the development of skills; knowledge and understanding that help pupils make sense of their world. Early experiences include asking questions about how things work, investigating and using a variety of construction kits, materials, tools and products, developing making skills and handling appropriate tools and construction material safely and with increasing control. We provide a range of experiences that encourage exploration, observation, problem solving, critical thinking and discussion. These activities, indoors and outdoors, are designed to invite pupil’s interest and curiosity.

Evidence and Assessment: The design and technology curriculum will make a profound and positive impact on the outcomes of every pupil. Core knowledge of each unit is supported by a Projects on a page knowledge organiser which details the key learning points, vocabulary and key questions. Each project assesses the knowledge and skills pupils have learnt. Pupils are encouraged to reflect and evaluate their progress before, during and after each project/unit. This includes discussion, quizzes and evaluations of their work.