DT at St Mark's

"Design and technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical 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. They acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art. Pupils learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens. Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, they develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world. High-quality design and technology education makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and wellbeing of the nation."

The National Curriculum

Key Concepts and Big Ideas

• Develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world.
• Build and apply a repertoire of knowledge, understanding and skills in order to design and make high-quality prototypes and products for a wide range of users.
• Critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products and the work of others.
• Understand and apply the principles of nutrition and learn how to cook.

INTENT

At St Mark’s CE Primary School our intention, through the teaching of DT,  is to provide children with a real-life context for learning. As an inspiring and practical subject, we endeavour to prepare children to deal with an ever-changing technological world, encouraging them to become creative and resourceful problem solvers, working both independently and as members of a team. We teach them to be inspired by real world opportunities and relevant problems, identifying needs and developing a range of ideas and solutions in a variety of contexts. By researching past and present technologies, where possible meeting real industry workers, and applying knowledge learnt across other areas of the curriculum, children build their confidence, resilience, practical and analytical skills. Furthermore, they learn to overcome challenges and improve designs and products, all the while finding motivation and meaning for their learning. Children at St Mark’s learn skills in product research, disassembling and building products, making prototypes, testing, designing and evaluating. 

Food technology is a major focus of our DT curriculum and we have a mobile kitchen unit with oven and hob that can be transported to be used wherever it is required. When possible, we provide additional cooking experience with the aid of parent helpers e.g. Year 4 visit to Pizza Express to design and make pizzas. In all lessons, the children are encouraged to cook nutritious food from scratch, setting them up for a healthy future beyond the classroom. 

It is our intent that DT is taught in all year groups in either discrete or cross-curricular projects. By the time children reach Year 6, they would have had experience of food technology, textiles, design and construction; they should be confidently performing everyday tasks and applying their knowledge, understanding and an increased level of skills as they progress through the school. They will be on the way to becoming risk takers and innovators and will have used a range of tools, resources and materials, including the use of IT, to create effectively constructed and aesthetically pleasing results. This, along with a strong focus on the importance of evaluation, allows children to adapt and improve their work, providing them with not only a sense of achievement but a strong foundation for the next step of their learning and a key skill for life.

IMPLEMENTATION

The Design Technology teaching throughout St Mark’s follows the National Curriculum design, make and evaluate cycle. Based on the key skills and knowledge in our  Long Term Planning,  Medium Term Plans ensure that each year group’s objectives are selected to build upon the learning that took place in the previous year, whilst continuing to prepare them for the coming year too. Through this the children acquire a broad range of technical knowledge and vocabulary whilst also drawing on disciplines such as Mathematics, Science, Engineering, Computing and Art. Evidence of each of these strategies can be found in books/folders and photographs, and show clear progression across the Key Stages.

Design 

Rooted in real-life, relevant contexts, children design products with a purpose and an intended user of the products in mind. They use research and develop design criteria to inform the design of innovative, functional, appealing and fit-for-purpose products. Planning is through appropriate formats ie. annotated sketches, patterns/templates, communicating ideas verbally and prototypes/’mock-ups’. In some cases, designs will be computer aided. 

Make 

Whilst making, children will be given a wide range of tools, materials and components including textiles, construction equipment and ingredients. They build and apply a repertoire of knowledge, understanding and skills (ie. cutting, shaping, joining and finishing) in order to make high-quality prototypes and products for a range of users. 

Evaluate 

Children at St Mark’s learn to critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products as well as the work of others. They investigate and analyse a range of existing products to understand how individuals and key events have shaped design and technology globally. In addition, they learn to evaluate their work against their own design criteria and consider the views of others in order to improve their work.  

Short term planning includes provision made for children with SEND, so their needs are met fully.

IMPACT

Assessment of children's learning in Design Technology takes the form of ongoing monitoring of children's understanding, knowledge and skills using key questioning skills built into lessons by the class teacher. Child-led assessment such as success criteria are also used to inform the differentiation, support and challenge required by the children. Summative assessment will be conducted on a half-termly basis by class teachers across each year group and is aimed at targeting next steps in learning as well as informing the subject leader of progress and skills/knowledge still to be embedded. (NB This is one of our next steps in developing the DT curriculum).

Design Technology is also monitored by the subject leader throughout the year in the form of collection of evidence (photos), book monitoring, looking at outcomes measured against age-based progression and pupil interviews (pupil voice) to discuss their learning. This tangible evidence aids understanding and establishes the impact of the teaching taking place. The impact of using the full range of tools and resources, will be seen across the school with an increase in the profile of Design and Technology. Children will know more, remember more and understand more about DT. Children will retain prior-learning and explicitly make connections between what they have previously learned and what they are currently learning. It is our intention that the learning environment across the school will be more consistent with design and technology technical vocabulary displayed, spoken and used by all learners. 

By the time children leave St Mark’s we aim that they will have:  

• An excellent attitude towards learning and independent working.  
• The ability to use time efficiently and work constructively and productively with others.  
• The ability to carry out thorough research, show initiative and ask questions to develop a detailed knowledge of users’ needs.  
• The ability to act as responsible designers and makers, working ethically, using a range of materials carefully and working safely.  
• A thorough knowledge of which tools, equipment and materials to use to make their products.  
• The ability to apply mathematical knowledge and skills accurately.  
• The ability to manage risks, be resourceful, innovative and enterprising to manufacture products safely and hygienically.  
• A passion for the subject. 

Children will be equipped with skills and knowledge that will enable them to be ready for the curriculum at Key Stage 3 and for life as a capable citizen in the wider world.

CURRICULUM ENRICHMENT OPPORTUNITIES

We take every opportunity to invite specialists in this subject into school in order to demonstrate their particular skills, or to talk to the children, whilst also showcasing our work to a wider audience.

• Purbeck Arts Week Exhibition of work at Rollington Barn.
• Harvest Art and DT Exhibition at St Mark’s.
• During Purbeck Arts Week we invite artists/designers into school to lead workshops with the children.
• Close links with the Art/DT department at The Swanage School with opportunities to collaborate.