Design Technology
INTENT - Why do we teach this? Why do we teach it in the way we do?
At Hill Top CE Primary School Design Technology is an inspiring and practical subject. It encourages children to learn to think and work creatively to solve problems, both as individuals and working as a group. 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. The children are also given opportunities to reflect upon and evaluate past and present design technology, its uses and its effectiveness and are encouraged to become innovators and risk-takers.
IMPLEMENTATION - What do we teach? What does this look like?
At Hill Top CE Primary School we teach the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to engage in the process of designing and making through creative and practical activities The children work in a range of relevant content making links with other subjects.
Children are taught to: Design, Make and Evaluate. Food Technology is taught in each year group, children develop an understanding of where food comes from, the importance of a varied and healthy diet and how to prepare this.
Within Key Stage 1 we aim to develop design, creativity and problem solving through purposeful design projects which promote children’s skills. Children are also given a clearer understanding of where food comes from.
Within Key Stage 2 key events and individuals that have influenced the work of Design Technology are teaching focuses that are covered. The use of computer programmes and applications are also a key focus to be utilised by children in their design of their products. Through our relationship with a local sewing company ‘Frill and Flounce’, all our Key Stage 2 children become talented sewing machinists – with many children continuing to develop this skill at home.
In the Early Years, Design Technology is taught through the areas of learning- Physical Development, Understanding of the World and Expressive Arts and Design.
IMPACT - What do we want to happen?
The children at Hill Top CE Primary School enjoy the practical and creative side of Design Technology. They are always keen to learn new skills and show these in the products they create. The assessment of children’s learning in Design Technology is the ongoing monitoring of children’s understanding, knowledge and skills by the teacher. This assessment is then used to inform, differentiation, support and challenge required by the children.