Design and Technology

Design and Technology curriculum at Barden

Intent

At Barden Primary School, we recognise Design and Technology to be an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. It can be found in many of the objects children use each day and is a part of children’s immediate experiences. At Barden, we aim to provide all children with a broad and balanced curriculum which prepares them for life beyond primary education. We encourage children to use their creativity and imagination, to design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. Design and Technology encourages children to learn to think and intervene creatively to solve problems both as individuals and as members of a team. At Barden, the Design and Technology curriculum combines skills, knowledge, concepts and values to enable children to tackle real problems. It can improve analysis, problem-solving, practical capability and evaluation skills. We aim to, wherever possible, link work to other disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art. The children are encouraged to become innovators and risk-takers. High-quality Design and Technology education makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of the school.

Implementation

Design and Technology is a crucial part of school life and learning. Therefore, at Barden Primary School, we are dedicated to the teaching and delivery of a high-quality Design and Technology curriculum. This is implemented through:

•A well thought out, whole school, yearly overview of the DT curriculum which allows for progression across year groups in all areas of DT (textiles, mechanisms, structures, food and electrical systems).

•Well planned and resourced projects providing children with a hands-on and enriching experience.

•A range of skills being taught ensuring that children are aware of health and safety issues related to the tasks undertaken.

•Teachers being given ownership and flexibility to plan for Design and Technology; often teaching DT as a block of lessons to allow the time needed for the children to be critical, inventive and reflective on their work.

•Each project from Year 1 to Year 6 addresses the principles of designing, making, and evaluating. This is as well as incorporating relevant technical knowledge and understanding in relevant contexts.

•Pupils being introduced to specific designers, chefs, nutritionists, etc. helping to engender an appreciation of human creativity and achievement and increase the cultural capital from which they can draw in the future.

Impact

Children will have clear enjoyment and confidence in Design and Technology that they will then apply to other areas of the curriculum. Through carefully planned and implemented learning activities the pupils develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world. They gain a firm foundation of knowledge and skills to see them equipped to take on further learning in High School.

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 and evaluations are also used to inform the differentiation, support and challenge required by the children. Summative assessment is conducted termly 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. Effective monitoring of our school's Design and Technology Curriculum is also carried out by the subject leader which aids understanding and establishes the impact of the teaching taking place.

D&T Areas

While at Barden, our children will learn knowledge and skills in the following areas:

Textiles
Mechanisms
Structures
Electrical Systems
Cooking and Nutrition

D&T Curriculum at Barden 2023-24

Enrichment

Barden has linked with STEM to take part in the Engineering Project. Last year, Year 2 and Year 5 children came together to design and make a vehicle. They then took their projects to an event where the children could compare and celebrate their vehicles with other schools. We can't wait to see this year's models!

Parent Help/Links

These websites are a great resource to support you in engaging in design and technology learning at home.

If you do any amazing design and technology activities at home, don't forget to email your child's class teacher. You might get to see your photos on this page!

BBC BitesizeBBC website with lessons, video clips and DT games and quizzes

Oak National AcademyOak National Academy website with DT lessons and activities.

Food -A Fact of LifeThe site provides interactive projects, information sheets, posters and activity cards for children to help them discover more about where food come from, cooking and healthy eating

Engineering@homeWeekly STEM challenges to complete at home.

Inventive KidsThe Inventive Kids site is a place where children can learn about inventors, inventions and their own creative potential!