Bincombe ValleyDesign & Technology
Design & Technology is an exciting, practical and inspiring subject.
At Bincombe Valley primary School we design our curriculum in this subject in such a way that it help children to be able to design, make and evaluate projects as well as increasing their technical knowledge.
These four elements make up the Golden threads that weave their way through the Design and Technology curriculum and help children to make links with their prior learning.
Intent – what does the Design and Technology curriculum intend to do?
The purpose of DT education is to give pupils the skills, concepts and knowledge necessary for them to explore the world around them by using 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.
Pupils acquire the ability to make informed, critical responses of their own work and that of others, including products that are vital to everyday living to those that are from other parts of the UK and from around the world.
As part of their work with the food technology element of DT, pupils are taught how to cook and apply the principles of nutrition and healthy eating. Learning how to cook is a crucial life skill that enables pupils to feed themselves and others affordably and well, now and in later life as well as giving them the freedom to express themselves through the love of food.
Our children will be taught Design and Technology in a way that ensures progression of skills, and follows a sequence to build on previous learning.
Implementation - what will this look like in practice?
Children in the Nursery use various construction and art materials, e.g. joining pieces, stacking vertically and horizontally, balancing, making enclosures and creating spaces
When the children move to Reception they have more specific objectives in Design and Technology:
- To make and create with purpose
- To make informed decisions on the tools and materials they use for specific purposes.
- To share their creations, explaining the process they have used.
- To look at their creations and think of ways that they can adapt to improve.
As a one-and-a-half form entry school, Bincombe Valley has a rolling curriculum plan for 2 years to avoid repetition in topic areas. To facilitate this we run a half-termly plan alongside Art & Design in Key Stages 1 & 2.
The overview and medium-term plans for this can be found by clicking the links below.
Design & Technology and Art & Design 2-year overview plan
Design & Technology overview plan (graphic version)
Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2) Design & Technology planning
Lower Key Stage 2 (Years 3 and 4) Design & Technology planning
Upper Key Stage 2 (Years 5 and 6) Design & Technology planning
SEND support in Design and Technology
Lessons focus on these key areas of design & technology: Structures, mechanisms/mechanical systems, textiles, cooking and nutrition and electrical systems (Key Stage 2 only).
Design
- Use research and develop design criteria to inform the design of innovative, functional, appealing products that are fit for purpose, aimed at particular individuals or groups
- Generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through discussion, annotated sketches, cross-sectional diagrams, prototypes, pattern pieces and computer-aided design
Make
- Select from and use a wider range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks (for example, cutting, shaping, joining and finishing) accurately
- Select from and use a wider range of materials and components, including construction materials, textiles and ingredients, according to their functional properties and aesthetic qualities
Evaluate
- Investigate and analyse a range of existing products
- Evaluate their ideas and products against their own design criteria and consider the views of others to improve their work
- Understand how key events and individuals in design and technology have helped shape the world
Technical Knowledge
- Apply their understanding of how to strengthen, stiffen and reinforce more complex structures
- Understand and use mechanical systems in their products
- Understand and use electrical systems in their products
- Apply their understanding of computing to program, monitor and control their products
Impact – what progress will children make?
Our children enjoy and value Design and Technology and know why they are doing things, not just how. Children will understand and appreciate the value of Design and Technology in the context of their personal wellbeing and the creative and cultural industries and their many career opportunities.
Progress in Design and Technology is demonstrated through regularly reviewing and scrutinising children’s work, in accordance with our assessment policy to ensure that greater understanding and progression of skills is taking place. Namely through:
- Looking at pupils’ work, especially over time as they gain skills and knowledge
- Observing how children perform in Design & Technology lessons
- Talking to children to ask them about what they know and remember
- Observing how children apply their acquired knowledge in new situations (problem-solving)
The Design and Technology curriculum will contribute to children’s personal development in creativity, independence, judgement and self-reflection. This would be seen in them being able to talk confidently about their work, and sharing their work with others during the learning process and in subject monitoring.