Design & Technology

Intent

Design and Technology is a hands on, inspiring, practical subject. At Burton Leonard, we intend to build a curriculum which is inspiring, rigorous and practical. We encourage children to take risks and learn to think and intervene creatively to solve problems both as individuals and as members of a team. Children are given opportunities to acquire appropriate subject knowledge, skills and understanding as set out in the National Curriculum. We want Design and Technology to prepare our children, to give them opportunities, responsibilities, and experiences they need to be successful in later life. This involves the children learning about the world we live in and developing a wide range of knowledge and skills through designing and making.

Implementation

Through a variety of creative and practical activities, we teach the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to engage in the process of designing and making. Our Design and Technology curriculum has key themes that run throughout- structures, mechanisms, cooking and nutrition and electrical systems (KS2 only). Our planning follows an overall design, make and evaluate structure and is guided by the Kapow scheme of work for Years 1-6. This may be adapted to meet the particular needs and requirements of our children, ensuring the National Curriculum is followed. Year 1 and 2 follow a single aged plan and for years 3/4 and 5/6, we follow a mixed age plan over a two year cycle. Key concepts, skills, and technical vocabulary for Design and Technology have been mapped across the school to ensure clear progression through the year groups. Design and Technology lessons may also be taught as a block so that children’s learning is better focused throughout each unit of work. Units on nutrition are taught to ensure children have secure understanding and knowledge of where food comes from, its seasonality and the need for a healthy and varied diet.

Impact

Our curriculum is well thought out and planned to demonstrate progression year on year, giving pupils the skills, knowledge and vocabulary they need to move forward in their learning, alongside different opportunities to apply their knowledge to different situations. We measure the impact of our Design and Technology curriculum through the following methods:

• Book looks 
• Photographic and video evidence
• Pupil discussions about their learning; which includes discussion of their thoughts, ideas, processes and evaluations of work
• A reflection on standards achieved against the planned outcomes
• Careful questioning
• Opportunities to share and discuss produced work with peers (peer assessment / feedback)

 

burton leonard dt curriculum map year a and year b.pdf

 

design and technology progression map.pdf