Rationale for the teaching of Design and Technology
At St. Anne’s, we believe that Design and Technology (D&T) should encourage children to become curious and creative problem solvers, both as individuals and as part of a team. Our D&T curriculum enables children to develop skills and knowledge in design, structures, mechanisms, electrical control and a range of materials, including food. Through D&T lessons, children are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to communicate their ideas effectively and critically evaluate their own work as well as that of others. Using creativity and imagination, children have the opportunity to work as engineers solving real-life problems within a variety of contexts. Children are encouraged to ask questions about how things work and are given many opportunities to use a variety of materials, tools and products as part of DT allowing them to develop a greater understanding of the world around them. Working as engineers empowers pupils to use their knowledge and skills of other subjects, especially Mathematics, Science and Art to identify needs and generate design ideas, make products, explore possible solutions, evaluate what they have made and communicate their results to others.
How we teach and learn Design and Technology at St Anne’s
D&T is taught through an enquiry based curriculum where children work as engineers through the three phases of designing, making and evaluating their own products. Throughout the year, each year group focuses on topics, often linked to big enquiry questions, which cover a specific set of skills and knowledge. As children progress through the school, they are presented with opportunities to further develop these skills and build upon their learning whilst still ensuring all aspects of the National Curriculum are covered.
The time dedicated to D&T ensures that each enquiry can be delivered to a high standard and children can create important and useful products. High quality resources allow children to be clever and creative when designing and making their products. All children are challenged during D&T lessons through continuous verbal feedback and through problems presented to them. Our D&T lessons aim to develop children’s knowledge, skills and understanding of the world around them. To achieve this, a range of teaching styles are used. Lessons are taught through whole-class or independent activities and self and peer assessment also forms an important part of DT lessons as it supports children in developing their critical awareness and understanding. At St. Anne’s, we promote character education such as being creative as we encourage children to think of creative solutions to real-life problems. Children also demonstrate resilience as they are encouraged to persevere with challenges such as fixing materials together or selecting appropriate tools for the task.
Many cross-curricular links are woven in to D&T. Maths skills and knowledge are used when measuring during the ‘design’ and ‘make’ phases of lessons. During cooking topics, children are measuring out ingredients, as well as calculating the quantities of different recipes. Instructions are often created as part of the ‘design’ phase, which has a direct link to English and oracy skills are used confidently when the children present their products . Science knowledge and understanding are applied when children are creating products that contain different materials and electrical components. Educators also encourage children to consider the impact their product can have on the wider world to ensure they realise the difference they may make in the future. In the Early Years Foundation Stage, children begin their D&T journey by exploring and using media and materials while developing physical skills such as cutting and joining. As part of the EYFS provision, opportunities are given for children to make choices about how to present their own ideas and follow their own interests.
When children are investigating, designing or evaluating a product, their research and ideas will usually be recorded in their Enquiry books or their Art Journals. Recording their work in this way allows children to reflect on their findings and evaluate both their own ideas and that of others. Final DT products may also be photographed, as it allows children to reflect on their design and identify its strengths and areas for development.
Throughout the year, children are provided with opportunities to attend D&T clubs, such as Cooking Club, where they are able to learn new skills and engage with a range of nutritious foods and recipes. We also welcome visitors and members of the wider community into our school, where they can share their knowledge through inspiring and engaging workshops. For example, taking part in STEM activities or Healthy Eating workshops.
Teaching D&T is an excellent way to support our pupils’ spiritual, moral, social and cultural development. At St. Anne’s, we believe that it is important to provide children with an opportunity to work co-operatively, whilst allowing them to explore their own thoughts, ideas and beliefs. This helps to create a safe and open learning environment that all children can flourish in. D&T also provides children with an opportunity to reflect on their achievements, as well as learn from any challenges that they may have encountered.
How we evaluate and celebrate our Design and Technology learning
At the end of each lesson, the class educator is able to assess the children's understanding by reviewing the lesson’s learning objectives. All enquiries end with a final challenge where often the children a final product; these products are a fantastic way for children to consolidate and demonstrate the skills they have learnt. Each lesson builds on the previous learning and children’s skills are improved upon throughout each enquiry. It is also clear to see the progression of skills throughout the school through the quality of products each year group creates. Subject and school leaders monitor the impact of our curriculum provision through completing regular monitoring, that includes listening to the voice of our children.