DT - Design & Technology
D&T At St Maria Goretti
At St Maria Goretti we aim for our learners in D&T is to be able become independent, creative problem solvers and thinkers with the ability to work as individuals or as part of a team. Throughout the curriculum pupils will progressively learn skills to design, make, refine and evaluate purposeful products for a specific user. During D&T lessons pupils learn about principles of nutrition and how to cook and prepare food safely. Pupils will also look into seasonality of ingredients and how they are grown, caught or reared. The pupils should become confident in choosing and using a range of tools for specific tasks. Pupils will develop problem solving skills and resilience in order to improve their work and refine their product. The use of technology in the designing and making processes is also developed throughout the curriculum. The aim is for pupils to develop the creative, technical and practical expertise need to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world where STEM skills are important.
Intent
- What are the aims for your subject curriculum for your students as learners and with their peers?
- What are the main aims for your learners to develop for their future careers?
- How can they become problem solvers?
- What do we hope for them in the future and as a contributor to the wider good of society?
The aim for our learners in D&T is to be able become independent, creative problem solvers and thinkers with the ability to work as individuals or as part of a team. Throughout the curriculum pupils will progressively learn skills to design, make, refine and evaluate purposeful products for a specific user. During D&T lessons pupils learn about principles of nutrition and how to cook and prepare food safely. Pupils will also look into seasonality of ingredients and how they are grown, caught or reared. The pupils should become confident in choosing and using a range of tools for specific tasks. Pupils will develop problem solving skills and resilience in order to improve their work and refine their product. The use of technology in the designing and making processes is also developed throughout the curriculum. The aim is for pupils to develop the creative, technical and practical expertise need to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world where STEM skills are important.
Implementation
- How do learners learn best in your subject?
- How is this achieved? (e.g. teaching, technology, processes, traditions, creativity)
- How will your curriculum deliver high quality outcomes for students?
- What must students learn about (keep to the essentials)
At St Maria Goretti our intent is for Design and technology to cover on topic per term in each year group one of which will be relating to food and nutrition. These project will often be cross-curricular linking to other subjects and involve a range of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths) skills. Each project will follow a process. Pupils will research the intended product as well as its user and purpose, decided on a design criteria and complete a design, investigate and practise the skills, make the product, refine and improve the product and finally evaluate. The use of computer technology in the design process will be taught as well non digital designs. Food technology is implemented across the school with children developing an understanding of where food comes from, the importance of a varied and healthy diet and how to prepare this. D&T is a crucial part of life and learning which is why we are dedicated to ensuring a high quality curriculum. These high quality outcomes are ensured with a well -planned products linked to other subjects and topics. The products are planned to ensure progression of skills through year groups. These are enhanced by high quality resources, experiences and visits from professionals. This ensures pupils are solving real and relevant problems in a range of contexts. Children learn to take risks, be reflective, innovative, enterprising and resilient. Through the evaluation of past and present technology they can reflect upon the impact of Design Technology on everyday life and the wider world.
Impact
- How will students overcome problems?
- How will they feel secure and supported in their learning?
- How will they achieve national standard?
- Knowledge and understanding and key skills
- How will children express their creativity and opinions?
- How will children work collaboratively in their subject?
Assessment of children's learning in Design Technology is an ongoing monitoring of children's understanding, knowledge and skills by the class teacher, throughout lessons. This assessment is then used to inform differentiation, support and challenge required by the children. Pupils will overcome problems by working collaboratively to support one another to have the resilience to use investigation skills to refine work as it progresses. Pupils will have opportunity to express their creativity and individuality in designing and making their own products with their own design criteria.
Wider curriculum
- What opportunities will the children gain in order to use their skills in your subject in other areas of the curriculum?
- How does your subject allow students to develop a set of transferable skills for their current setting and for future employment?
Pupils will use these skills in other curriculum areas as problem solving is key throughout school life especially other STEM subjects. Pupils are encouraged to find career links with their learning within lessons and how the skills they are learning now will be useful in the future. This is also promoted through various workshops, trips and interactions with experts children have the understanding that D&T has changed our lives and that it is vital to the world’s future prosperity. Children learn the possibilities for careers in D&T as a result of our community links and connection with local national agencies or businesses such as UKFast, KMF and TTPumps.
STEM Club:
Y3 and 4 STEM club are joining a competition against the other schools in the Ogden Trust Partnership to make a marble run that lasts the longest time.
Careers Links:
Through our links with local and national businesses, we are able to provide our pupils with a range of opportunities to engage with industry professionals throughout our careers curriculum. This includes visits such as: TTPumps, KMF, JCB, Catering etc.
D&T can lead to a wide range of STEMcareers. Such as:
- Teacher
- Acoustic consultant (manages noise and sound)
- Builder
- Plumber
- Carpenter
- Transport Mechanic
- Space Engineer
- Structural Engineer
- Oil and Gas Engineer
- Mechanical Engineer
- Computer Engineer
Parental Engagement:
Watch Me Learn sessions provide opportunities for parents to become involved in their child’s learning. This may be through a cross-curricular approach where parents are able to observe the ways in which pupils utilise Design and Technology skills in other areas of the curriculum, discrete lessons or careers sessions which makes links to STEM skills used in a wide range of jobs.
Here are some examples of parent engagement and home learning:
During our STEM and Careers events, there are also often opportunities for parents to join in with our learning and even volunteer to share their careers to inspire our children as the workforce of the future!
Parental Support:
Please find below a range of D and T resources that will allow your child to continue their learning at home.
Children’s Activity Corner
All Pupils
- STEM Learning: activities to do at home
- Cracking ideas: teaching and learning resources
- Design And Techonolgy Ideas : https://www.theschoolrun.com/5-at-home-design-and-technology-projects-for-primary-children
- STEM Learning Engineering activities https://www.stem.org.uk/engineering-resources/primary
KS1
- CREST At Home Challenge: challenges and project ideas to do at home
- BBC Bitesize KS1 DT https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zb9d7ty
- BBC Bitesize: daily lessons
KS2
- CREST At Home Challenge: challenges and project ideas to do at home
- BBC Bitesize: daily lessons
- BBC Bitesize KS2 DT https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zyr9wmn
National Curriculum Milestones Year 1 and 2
National Curriculum Milestones Year 3 and 4
National Curriculum Milestones Year 5 and 6
D&T Policy
Curriculum Map
