Design and Technology

 

Curriculum intent

At Grange Junior School, we aim to give children the skills they will need to flourish in the wider world through real life experiences, broadening their horizons, developing their creativity and encouraging them to have high aspirations. Our DT curriculum encourages children to use their creativity and imagination to design and make products that solve real and relevant problems that draw upon the users’ needs, wants and values.  Through DT, children draw upon other disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering and art. They learn how to take risks and problem solve in order to meet a design criterion. Through evaluation of past and present Design and Technology, children will develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world.

Through DT at the Grange Community Junior School, we will ensure that all pupils:

  • Design and make products that solve real and relevant problems.
  • Have opportunities to use creativity and imagination to design and make products considering their own and others’ needs.
  • Research into and investigate products available on the market.
  • Develop skills and knowledge related to food technology, textiles, mechanical and electrical mechanisms and structures including the safe and effective use of tools with a variety of materials.
  • Have the opportunity to learn and extend their understanding, experience and application in the use of technology, including computer control and computer aided design.
  • Be encouraged to evaluate the effectiveness of their designs and requirements of the product and be able to explain why changes have been made.

Implementation of the curriculum

The DT curriculum at Grange gives children the opportunity to develop skills, knowledge and understanding of designing and making functional products. DT is taught in 4 units per year through a process of design, prototype, test and evaluation, children will use their creativity and imagination to solve a problem presented to them. They will continually review their progress against a design brief and where necessary, make adaptations and problem solve.

In order for children to progress in each area of DT studied, lessons should be sequenced to allow prior learning to be revisited and revised and help children to build a depth and understanding of the taught skills and knowledge.

Each lesson should have a clear purpose and this should be evident to the children.

 

Impact of the curriculum

Children achieve improved knowledge as they move through the school.  By the end of year 6 they;

  • Have a basic understanding of the design process and are able to use this when creating a product. They increasingly see themselves as designers by understanding the process of DT and the importance of purpose and audience
  • Are able to use fundamental DT life skills with fluency and accuracy
  • Have an understanding of food and nutrition, preparation and health and safety to support them in the wider world

Support for parents to support your child’s learning

We would like to remind parents that you don’t need to be experts in curriculum subjects—encouraging curiosity and learning alongside your child is what matters most. Encourage your child to ask questions and then help them find answers.

As a parent, you can support your child’s learning in design and technology by:

  • Encouraging them to be curious and to ask questions: Design and technology is a subject that is all about exploration and discovery. Encourage your child to be curious about the world around them and to ask questions about how things work and how they can be improved.
  • Providing opportunities for practical learning: Design and technology is a hands-on subject that requires children to use their own skills and knowledge to design and make products. Provide your child with opportunities to explore and experiment with different materials and tools, and encourage them to try out their own ideas.
  • Supporting their development of problem-solving skills: Design and technology is all about finding solutions to real-world problems. Help your child to develop their problem-solving skills by encouraging them to think creatively and to explore a range of different options before making a decision.
  • Encouraging a growth mindset: Design and technology is a subject that requires children to try new things, to make mistakes, and learn from them. Encourage your child to have a growth mindset and to see challenges and setbacks as opportunities to learn and improve.

 

  • BBC Bitesize Design and Technology – click on link below