Intent
Design and technology prepares children to participate in an ever-changing technological world by becoming informed users and innovators of products. At Bowesfield Primary School, we believe that every child has the right to a D&T curriculum that provides opportunities for problem solving and creativity. We want our children to become confident risk takers, who understand the design and technology process from conception to the finished product.
Through our engaging D&T curriculum, children will:
- Be immersed in D&T so that they are confident at researching, designing, making and evaluating a product.
- Be inspired by engineers, designers, chefs and architects to enable them to create a range of structures, mechanisms, textiles, electrical systems and food products with a real life purpose.
- Develop the confidence to take risks through drafting design concepts, modelling and testing their ideas.
- Make use of their problem-solving skills by evaluating their work, finding new ways to do things and developing technical knowledge linked to their experiences.
- Become reflective learners who routinely evaluate their own work and the work of others. They will develop creativity, resilience and evaluative skills, which will support them in their later lives.
Implementation
Our Nursery and Reception children receive high quality D&T experiences and activities, enabling them to safely use and explore a variety of materials, tools and techniques, experimenting with colour, design, texture, form and function. Children have the opportunity to use what they have learnt about media and materials in original ways, thinking about uses and purposes. Children continue to build on this learning as they progress through Bowesfield Primary School.
From Y1 to Y6, we currently follow the ‘Project on a Page’ curriculum which was developed by the Design and Technology Association. Specific skills and knowledge are clearly organised into appropriate year groups without being too prescriptive, giving teachers the freedom to plan projects that will capture the children’s interests. The curriculum promotes practical learning and the research part of each project gives children a chance to experiment with current products in order to be able to make informed decisions in the design process. Each project follows the research, design, make and evaluate cycle, whilst teaching specific skills alongside technical knowledge. Children have the freedom to make choices about their designs throughout the process.
| Design
Children research existing products already available in the real world. They use their research to help them to develop design criteria to inform the design of functional, appealing products that are fit for purpose and aimed at particular individuals or groups. They generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through discussion, annotated sketches, cross sectional diagrams, pattern pieces and prototypes.
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Make
Children select from and use a range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks (for example, cutting, shaping, joining and finishing) accurately. They select from and use a wider range of materials and components, including construction materials, textiles, cooking utensils and ingredients. Children create products with an intended user and purpose in mind.
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| Evaluate
Children investigate and analyse a range of existing products. They evaluate their ideas and products against their own design criteria and consider the views of others to improve their products. They understand how key events and individuals in design and technology have helped shape our world. |
Cooking and Nutrition Children use the basic principles of a healthy and varied diet to prepare dishes and develop an understanding of where food comes from. They understand and apply the principles of a healthy and varied diet and prepare and cook a variety of predominantly savoury dishes using a range of cooking techniques. |
Impact
The impact of the Design & Technology curriculum at Bowesfield Primary School will be measured through:
- Discussions with children about their learning, looking at class floorbooks (KS1) and individual sketchbooks (KS2)
- Staff feedback
- Observations of lessons
Design & Technology at Bowesfield Primary
