Design Technology
INTENT
At Shadsworth Junior School we aim to provide all children with learning opportunities to engage in Design and Technology (DT). Design and Technology is an inspiring, rigorous, and practical subject. We encourage children to think and intervene creatively to solve problems both as individuals and as members of a team. Children are encouraged 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.
We encourage children to develop their STEM skills and promote the use of mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art skills. The children are also given opportunities to reflect upon and evaluate past and present design technology. Children are encouraged to take controlled risks and are challenged to think about how they might change the world. Through real, relevant problems, within a variety of contexts and projects, all children have the opportunity to explore systems and gain a wider understanding of how technology has adapted over time and its importance within today’s world.
The children participate in three DT topics each year by following the KAPOW scheme of work which fulfills the statutory requirements outlined in the National Curriculum (2014). We believe that this scheme allows scope for investigation, design, and original project work, whilst using increasingly challenging technical settings, which is ideal for our children’s needs.
The curriculum is organised into six key areas;
- Structures
- Mechanisms
- Textiles
- Electrical systems
- Digital world
- Cooking and nutrition
A key element for us is the emphasis placed on the identification and utilisation of cross-curricular links for learning to become more meaningful and enrich the learning experience for the children. Therefore wherever possible, we link the units to topics taught within each year group.
IMPLEMENTATION
IMPACT
We assess Design and Technology as follows:
- Observations and questioning by staff during lessons
- Verbal feedback during the lesson on the next steps
- End of unit quiz based on the National Curriculum key objectives for the unit
- Recorded and tracked using INSIGHT Tracking
- The subject leader monitors the data from each class year group and gives feedback on strengths and areas to develop