Design and technology

Design and technology at Carrington Junior School

 

Learning Design and Technology is key to creating innovative and critical learners who are confident to use a range of tools and equipment in order to create a product which solves a problem or fulfils a need in society.

The Design and Technology Curriculum will:

 

  •        showcase the subject as a process
  •        encourage children to be innovative in their learning
  •        use hands-on learning as a vehicle for gaining knowledge
  •        develop the progression of technical vocabulary
  •        utilise ongoing and formal assessment to inform future planning

 

Intent

 

Design and technology lessons aim to inspire pupils to be innovative and creative

thinkers who have an appreciation for the product design cycle through ideation, creation, and

evaluation. We want pupils to develop the confidence to take risks, through drafting design

concepts, modelling, and testing and to be reflective learners who evaluate their work and the

work of others. We aim to build an awareness of the impact of design and technology on our lives and encourage pupils to become resourceful, enterprising citizens who will have the skills to contribute to future design advancements.

 

The Design and technology  curriculum outlines the three main stages of the design process: design, make and evaluate. Each stage of the design process is underpinned by technical knowledge which encompasses the contextual, historical, and technical understanding required for each strand. Cooking and nutrition has a separate section, with a focus on specific principles, skills and techniques in food, including where food comes from, diet and seasonality.

The design and technology process includes:

● Design

● Make

● Evaluate

● Technical knowledge

● Cooking and nutrition

Our design and technology learning is based on the Kapow scheme of work and has a clear progression of skills and knowledge within these five strands across each year group.

Pupils respond to design briefs and scenarios that require consideration of the needs of others, developing their skills in six key areas:

● Mechanisms

● Structures

● Textiles

● Food

● Electrical systems

● Digital world

We have chosen a spiral curriculum, with key areas revisited again and again with increasing complexity, allowing pupils to revisit and build on their previous learning.