Intent

The DT curriculum at Appleby Primary School provides children with a relevant, coherent, progressive knowledge of the design process, and an appreciation of the importance of reflecting, evaluating and improving their own ideas. Within each topic pupils are expected to:

Design

In Key Stage 1 pupils will be supported to design purposeful, functional and appealing products based on design criteria. They will generate, develop, model and communicate their own ideas through talking, drawing, and using ICT.

In Key Stage 2 pupils will use research to develop design criteria which will inform their own design process. They will generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through discussion, annotated sketched, cross-sectional and exploded diagrams, prototypes, pattern pieces, and computer-aided design.

Make

In Key Stage 1 pupils will be taught to select from and use a range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks safely. They will select from and use a wide range of materials and components, including construction materials, textiles, and ingredients, according to their characteristics.

In Key Stage 2 pupils will select from a wider range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks. They will make selections from a wider range of materials according to their functional properties and aesthetic qualities in order to fulfil the design criteria.

Evaluate

In Key Stage 1 pupils will be supported in exploring and evaluating a range of existing products. They will evaluate their own ideas and products against the design criteria.

In Key Stage 2 pupils will investigate and analyse a range of existing products. They will be supported in evaluating their own ideas and products against their design criteria, and also consider the views of others to improve their work. They will develop an understanding of how key events and individuals in design and technology have helped shape the world.

Technical Knowledge

In Key Stage 1 pupils will build structures, exploring how they can be made stronger, stiffer, and more stable. They will explore and use mechanisms such as levers, sliders, wheels and axles in their products.

In Key Stage 2 pupils will develop and apply their understanding of how to strengthen, stiffen, and reinforce more complex structures. They will understand and use mechanical systems in their products, such as gears, pulleys, cams, levers, and linkages. They will understand and use electrical systems in their products. They will also develop and apply their use of computing to program, monitor and control their products.

Implementation  

Design Technology at Appleby Primary School is taught, generally, in alternate half-terms. Where possible, links are made between DT lessons and other areas of the curriculum to allow children opportunities to develop and consolidate learning. In EYFS, DT is taught through the EYFS framework through focused modelling and daily provision activities.  In Key Stages 1 and 2, DT is taught by one teacher who works closely with the DT subject leader to ensure a full and detailed curriculum is delivered.

Lessons are planned with full consideration of the following:

• Topics planned in cycles ensuring sufficient time is spent developing skills in the Design, Make, Evaluate, and Technical Knowledge key areas, relevant to each year group.
• All lessons to include focussed use and specific teaching of relevant vocabulary.
• Children will be encouraged to work collaboratively to develop evaluating skills.
• Children’s sketches, drawings and diagrams (annotated where appropriate) to be used in DT books to show their own ideas and product development.
• Trips and visiting experts who will enhance the learning experience to be considered and encouraged.
• Class teachers to arrange a means of displaying and celebrating the pupil’s work in their class.

Impact

Our Design and Technology Curriculum is high quality, well thought out and is planned to demonstrate progression year on year, giving pupils the skills, knowledge and vocabulary that they need to move forward in their learning, alongside opportunities to apply their knowledge to different situations.  If children are keeping up with the curriculum, they are deemed to be making good or better progress.

By the end of Key Stage 1 pupils will have developed skills in Designing, Making and Evaluating their own products in the following areas:

• Cooking and nutrition
• Textiles
• Mechanisms
• Use of materials
• Construction

By the end of Key Stage 2 pupils will have developed and progressed in the following areas:

• Cooking and nutrition
• Textiles
• Electrical and mechanical components
• Stiff and flexible sheet materials
• Mouldable materials

The impact of this wide and detailed curriculum is measured by

• pupil discussion; speaking with pupils to understand their views of the skills and techniques they have been taught,
• DT books which show an increasing depth of understanding, skills and knowledge, and improved evidencing of children’s own designs, ideas, diagrams, and evaluations through the year groups.
• Use of a DT monitoring toolkit to allow teachers to maintain a thorough understanding of areas for development for individual groups.