Design Technology

Intent

At Little Kingshill Combined School we aim to help the children become more aware of the made world and how things work and to become confident in the processes of designing and making.

At Little Kingshill Combined School we ensure that all pupils:

develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world;
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;
critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products and the work of others;
understand and apply the principles of nutrition and learn how to cook.

All teaching and non-teaching staff at Little Kingshill Combined School are responsible for ensuring that all pupils, irrespective of age, gender, ability, disability, ethnicity, religion or social circumstances, have access to the whole curriculum and opportunities to make the greatest progress possible in all areas of the curriculum. All children have an equal opportunity to undertake all aspects of learning, and have equal access to teaching.

Implementation

At Little Kingshill Combined School the teachers present all aspects of the broad and balanced DT curriculum and are visibly encouraging discussion and the whole-hearted engagement of pupils, without an over-concentration on outcomes and with a far greater emphasis on processes.

This is implemented through:

Clear, comprehensive and quality first teaching. The Design Technology National Curriculum and EYFS is planned for and covered in full within the EYFS, KS1 and KS2 school curriculum. Whilst the EYFS and National Curriculum forms the foundation of our curriculum, we make sure that children learn additional skills, knowledge and understanding and enhance our curriculum as and when necessary.
Delivery of design and technology projects with a clear structure.
Delivery showing clear following of the design process where each project fill follow: research, design, make and evaluate.
A range of skills will be taught ensuring that children are aware of health and safety issues related to the tasks undertaken
Clear and appropriate cross curricular links to underpin learning in multi areas across the curriculum giving the children Independent learning: In design technology children may well be asked to solve problems and develop their learning independently. This allows the children to have ownership over their curriculum and lead their own learning in Design Technology.
Collaborative learning: In design and technology children may well be asked to work as part of a team learning to support and help one another towards a challenging, yet rewarding goal.

Impact

By providing a range of contexts and the necessary DT skills, we endeavour to support pupils in their future educational journey and in the understanding of the ever-developing world around them. The skills and attributes they develop will benefit them beyond school and into adulthood: the ability to use time efficiently, work with others productively, show initiative, independence, resilience and manage risks effectively will ensure well-rounded citizens who will make a difference in the wider world.

The impact of DT is evident in the outcomes for all pupils:

Our pupils are engaged in their learning and excited by each process of their learning journey.
Our pupils are able to approach problems creatively and in a range of ways, applying their knowledge from across the curriculum areas independently.
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.
As designers, children will develop skills and attributes they can use beyond school and into adulthood.