Design & Technology
Curriculum Overview and Policy
Download: D&T – Curriculum Overview 2023-2024 [PDF]
Download: D&T – Progression of Skills Overview 2023-2024 [PDF]
Download: D&T – Vocabulary Progression 2023-2024 [PDF]
Download: D&T Policy 2024-2025 [PDF]
D&T Curriculum Drivers
Language – The Design Technology curriculum enables our children to find their voice to express their own ideas through quality interactions with their peers. The progression of vocabulary embeds children’s understanding of key concepts, further developed via cross-curricular links (opening worlds, science, computing, art). Prior knowledge is revisted in each lesson and built upon embedding a language rich subject. Key vocabulary is high profile in school, in children’s lessons, books and school displays. (Faith in Our Voice)
Diversity and Inclusion – As Design Technology is an expressive subject, it enables everyone to be included and succeed. Adaptive teaching ensures every child can reach their full potential and recognise the importance of Design Technology in the wider world. Food and Nutrition topics allow our children to learn and explore different cultures and countries. D&T is not a writing dependent subject and allows children to express their ideas in a variety of ways. (Faith in Others)
Resilience – The essence of Design Technology is to explore and work collaboratively, solving problems and developing ideas. A key element of Design Technology is to plan and evaluate. Children are encouraged to not only discuss their successes, but consider what their next steps would be. Challenge offers learning to be developed further and broaden children’s understanding and provides children an opportunity to think outside the box. (Faith in Ourselves)
Enrichment – As part of our Design Technology curriculum, children are encouraged to recognise the value of D&T in the real world. Where possible, enrichment opportunities can include fieldwork visits, class trips or visits from outside agencies enhancing children’s understanding (cultural capital). Design Technology is explored through other elements of school life, including; STEM, Enterprise week, extra-currcular clubs and children’s interests (EYFS). (Faith in Our Journey)
D&T – Intent
At St Oswald’s, it is our intent to make Design Technology (D&T) an inspiring, practical, meaningful and memorable subject. Using creativity and imagination, pupils design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. One element of D&T will be taught each term as part of a specially allocated D&T week where year groups will plan and deliver sessions to develop children’s ability to research, plan, design, make and evaluate. Topics are cross-curricular and support a broad range of subject knowledge, drawing on maths, science, computing and art.
We aim to provide opportunities for children to develop their design capabilities. We recognise that children are living in a highly developed technological world and we will ensure that DT provides the children with the opportunity to develop the necessary skills to meet the needs of a constantly changing society. D&T incorporates a wide range of cross-curricular skills including computing where children have the opportunity to use computer aided design (CAD) and computer programming to develop their ideas and plans further.
Where possible, using fieldwork and trips, children will be exposed to technology in our local area to enhance their understanding of D&T in the real world.
Using the mastery approach, our D&T curriculum is inclusive to everyone and encourages children to not only develop their technical skills, but their creativity, imagination and excitement.
D&T – Implement
Within Design Technology children will learn and build on a range of practical and technical skills (see key skills assessment criteria). Using the National Curriculum, the children will be encouraged to plan, research, design, make and evaluate different products using a success criteria. This will be achieved through developing a broad range of technical knowledge and vocabulary. Opportunities to research using a variety of primary and secondary sources using a variety of recording systems e.g. annotated sketches, patterns/templates, communicating ideas verbally and prototypes/’mock-ups’. In key stage 2, children will be introduced to computer aided technology to develop their designs.
Using a progressively challenging use of tools, materials and technology, we will build on children’s knowledge, vocabulary and skill. Children will have opportunities to explore and create high quality prototypes and products according to age related expectations. Using a range of assessment techniques, children will be able to evaluate their work against a set criteria.
D&T is formatively assessed at the end of each topic, the children being identified as working below, towards, or working at the expected standard for their age-related expectations. Summative assessments are completed twice a year and recorded on a staff database. Monitoring takes place through a variety of strategies including lesson observations, pupil voice, monitoring of work completed in D&T books and displays. Staff questionnaires are used to identify support needed and staff are supported by the D&T team to ensure a high-quality curriculum is delivered for all our pupils, including CAD and computer programming topics (CPD).
The key knowledge, skills and vocabulary in each key stage, have been mapped out across the school from EYFS to year 6, ensuring progression between each year group. Key skills are revisited, embedded and built upon as pupils move through the topics and year groups.
As with all subjects, D&T lessons incorporate a wide range of different methods of pedagogy, engaging all our pupils, challenging them and demanding high expectations. Key terminology is highlighted throughout the topics, where children are encouraged to read and understand new subject specific language, broadening their vocabulary.