Planning and Teaching
DT is taught in units, based on the National Curriculum. As we have mixed year group classes, units are taught over a two-year rolling programme. DT is entirely taught discretely from other subjects to ensure that a full curriculum is provided.
Each class learns three DT units in a year, alternating with Art. One unit focuses on construction, one on textiles and the third on cooking and nutrition.
The importance of practical work in Design and Technology
Design and Technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. Using creativity and imagination, children design and make products that solve real and relevant problems, within a variety of contexts. The children are taught to evaluate, design and produce carefully, considering the materials and method used. We select and use appropriate tools safely and effectively to make a product. In all areas of Design and Technology the children are encouraged to consider the effectiveness of their designs and requirements of the product. We respond to the ideas of the children and build skills effectively each year.
In each unit, children gain new skills in the initial phase of learning, whilst also learning about specific artists, designers and chefs, they then use the skills themselves to gain experience, before creating their own designs. Time is given within each unit to make adaptions where it is clear that a design will not be as effective as hoped. The final evaluation of the piece to ensure that it met the design brief, is key.
Our priority in this subject for 2023/24 is to embed the school's design process into our learning. The planning sheets we have designed for each project are available on this web page. C hildren are using the planing sheets to plan, adapt and evaluate their designs.
