Intent

The intent of the design and technology curriculum is for children to be taught knowledge, understanding and skills needed to engage in an iterative process of design through a variety of creative and practical activities.

We deliver a curriculum that:

• Develops children’s creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world
• Inspires children to design and become the next generation of innovators.
• Teaches pupils how to take risks and become resourceful
• Allows children to solve real and relevant problems within a variety of different contexts
• Provides opportunities for children to critique, evaluate and test their thoughts, ideas and products and the work of others
• Gives opportunities to reflect, evaluate and improve on prototypes
• Teaches pupils how to cook and apply the principles of nutrition and healthy eating
• Provides pupils with a crucial life skill

Implementation

The Design and Technology programme of Study provided by the National Curriculum sets out the following subject content that pupils should:

• Design purposeful, functional and appealing products for themselves and other users based on design criteria
• Generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through talking, drawing, templates, mock-ups and, where appropriate, information and communication technology
• Select from and use a range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks (for example, cutting, shaping, joining and finishing)
• Select from and use a wide range of materials and components, including construction materials and textiles, according to their characteristics
• Explore and evaluate a range of existing products
• Evaluate their ideas and products against design criteria
• Build structures, exploring how they can be made stronger, stiffer and more stable
• Explore and use mechanisms (for example, levers, sliders, wheels, and axles) in their products
• Use the basic principles of a heathy and varied diet to prepare dishes
• Understand where food comes from

It also sets out the following skills that should be developed:

• Build on prior knowledge through revisiting and consolidating skills
• Draw on disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art
• Develop a critical understanding of D&T’s impact on daily life and wider world

All skills will be explicitly taught, modelled and embedded through both adult led and child initiated activities in provision in F2. 

Expressive Arts and Design ELG (Creating with Materials): Children at the expected level of development will:

• Safely use and explore a variety of materials, tools and techniques, experimenting with colour, design, texture, form and function
• Share their creations, explaining the process they have used

Fine Motor Skills ELG: Children at the expected level of development will:

• Hold a pencil effectively in preparation for fluent writing – using the tripod grip in almost all cases
• Use a range of small tools, including scissors, paint brushes and cutlery

Managing Self ELG:  Children at the expected level of development will:

• Manage their own basic hygiene and personal needs, including dressing, going to the toilet and understanding the importance of healthy food choices.

In order to achieve this, LIS has broken down the programme of study to ensure both progression and coverage across FS2 and Key Stage 1, and developed a teaching, learning and sequencing of the curriculum as follows:

• The design and technology progression of skills is organised into five main themes: Design; Make; Evaluate; Technical Knowledge and Cooking and Nutrition
• Each theme will be taught explicitly through exciting topics, including links to other areas of the curriculum
• A teaching sequence that builds on knowledge and skills across each year group and across the school.
• Continuous CPD for teachers to ensure their skills and knowledge is developed to teach the skills confidently and accurately

Impact

The Design and Technology curriculum will:

• Provide opportunities for all children to collaborate, learn from, understand and react to each others’ perspectives and strengths.
• Create an enjoyable, engaging academic outlet for children who may find traditional subjects challenging.
• Give children an insight into how physical products can be created and an understanding of basic concepts used in everyday items.
• Smooth transition through the year groups building on progression of skills and developing consistency with vocabulary displayed, spoken and used by all learners.
• Support confidence to design, make and change products and items.

Please click here to see our Progression Map for Design & Technology.