Design & Technology
Intent
We aim for Design & Technology to provide children with the opportunity to gain independence in their learning as their skills progress from EYFS to Year 6, allowing them to have confidence in themselves and the ability to think creatively and practically. We are committed to ensuring that children are inspired and enthusiastic about the opportunities provided and we aim for them to develop transferable and relevant skills through our delivery of the Design Technology curriculum.
We actively encourage children to explore and analyse a range of existing products and then use this information to inform the development and direction of their own ideas. We aim for children to gain confidence in using the correct tools and materials required for their desired purpose and to evaluate thoroughly, thinking practically about how to best improve their work.
Children enhance their technical knowledge in a range of contexts including materials and textiles, construction and mechanics and cooking and nutrition.
All children are given the opportunity to access the curriculum at their level and are provided with the resources required to enhance their understanding.
Implementation
At Cheadle Heath Primary School the curriculum in place for all learners is organised through the Early Years Foundation Stage framework, the early learning goals (ELGs) in the Early Years Foundation Stage and the National Curriculum for Design and Technology for children in Years 1 - 6. Plans have been developed to provide a framework of progression. This allows pupils to gain the skills they need to fully engage with the current learning objectives and prepares the foundation for further knowledge development as pupils move through the school.
Children in the Early Years learn about exploring and using media and materials and are encouraged to experiment, make and design using a variety of materials. Teachers observe and record their learning on Tapestry as evidence.
In Years 1 - 6, children plan, edit and improve their design once they have developed their skills and knowledge, ensuring that their design criterion is clear. Once a plan has been developed, children use appropriate materials and equipment to make the product, showing that they are reflective learners by questioning and improving their product as part of the making process. Once they have a finished product, children evaluate their product based on the original design criterion. They are able to enhance their technical knowledge through research and discussion during topics and are encouraged to develop an investigative mind-set through research and design, expanding their knowledge of a product and challenge themselves to make improvements on their own.
Theme One | Theme Two | Theme Three | Theme Four | |
EYFS | Art and Design in the EYFS is covered in the ‘Expressive Arts and Design’ aspect of the curriculum. Expressive Arts and Design is used to develop a child's imagination, creativity and their ability to use media and materials. Children do this in range of ways including singing songs and making music, dancing, playing with colours, textures and design. | |||
KS1 A | Street Detectives | Adventures on the Seas Materials | Paws, Claws and Whiskers Cooking and Nutrition | Seaside Construction Mechanics and Electronics |
KS1 B | An Eye on London Construction Mechanics and Electronics | Flight Materials and Construction | Dinosaur Planet Cooking and Nutrition | Marvellous Monarchy Materials |
LKS2 A | Invaders and Traders Textiles and Materials | Extreme Earth Materials | You are What you Eat Cooking and Nutrition | Egyptians Materials |
LKS2 B | Stone Age to Iron Age Cooking and Nutrition | Rainforests Construction and Mechanics | Bright Sparks / Local History Electronics | Romans Materials |
UKS2 A | Conflict Cooking and Nutrition | Frozen Planet Materials | The Hatters / Inside Out Materials | The Greeks Construction and Mechanics |
UKS2 B | Invasion Construction and Mechanics | Around the World Materials | To Infinity and Beyond! Electronics | The Maya Cooking and Nutrition |
Impact
At Cheadle Heath Primary School, we aim to provide high quality teaching of Design and Technology and ensure that we encourage children to be confident in their skills, ensuring progression through school. Through quality teaching, we ensure that children are able to:
Enhance their technical knowledge and grow confidence in the subject, eventually being able to independently select materials and tools based on their design.
Thoroughly research existing products, considering what they feel are the strengths and weaknesses of products and allowing this to impact their design.
Explore different ways of making a product and continuously evaluate and improve as part of the making process.
Be reflective learners, consider what went well and how it could be improved.