Intent 

Our aims and objectives are drawn from the National Curriculum for Design and Technology:

• Develop the creative, technical, and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world.

• Build and apply a repertoire of knowledge, understanding and skills to design and make high- quality prototypes and products for a wide range of users.

• Critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products and the work of others.

• Encourage children to select appropriate tools and investigate different techniques for making a product, whilst following safe procedures.

• Begin to understand about the characteristics of different materials and the use of simple mechanisms  Understand and apply the principles of nutrition and learn how to cook.

Implementation  

Design and Technology is a crucial part of school life and learning and it is for this reason that as a school we are dedicated to the teaching and delivery of a high-quality Design and Technology curriculum.

This is implemented through:

• A well thought out, whole school, yearly overview of the DT curriculum which allows for progression across year groups in all areas of DT (textiles, mechanisms, structures, food and electrical systems) 

• Well planned and resourced projects providing children with a hands-on and enriching experience

• A range of skills being taught ensuring that children are aware of health and safety issues related to the tasks undertaken

• Teachers being given ownership and flexibility to plan for Design and Technology; often teaching DT as a block of lessons to allow the time needed for the children to be critical, inventive and reflective on their work.

• Each project from Year 1 to Year 6 addressing the principles of designing, making, and evaluating and incorporating relevant technical knowledge and understanding in relevant contexts.

In Early Years, DT is incorporated consistently into daily routines and is used to enhance continuous provision.

Impact  

• Children are able to enjoy DT, in a variety of ways, and through a range of activities either as designer, maker or evaluator.

• They can generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas using a range of strategies.

• They can select from and use a wider range of materials and components and use them to create their designs.

•  They can evaluate their ideas and products against their own design criteria and consider the views of others to improve their work.

• They can understand how key events and individuals in design and technology have helped shape the world.