Design and Technology Curriculum Statement
Intent
Design and Technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. The different elements of the subject encourage children to learn to think and intervene creatively to solve problems both as individuals and as members of a team. At Willow Brook, our approach will enable children to use their creativity and imagination, to design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts. At every part of the process children should consider their own and others’ needs, wants and values.
Implementation
We aim to, wherever possible, link work to other disciplines such as STEM, English, computing and art. The children are also given opportunities to reflect upon and evaluate past and present design and technology. Through history, children consider how innovators and risk-takers changed the world and pupils develop a critical understanding of their impact on daily life and glean knowledge from their thoughts and actions.
As we educate the designers of the future, we arm children with technical knowledge as well as practical experience. There will be opportunities to take risks, make mistakes and be resourceful. Rather than simply following a rigid pattern, our children own their ideas and can be proud of making progress as their skills develop.
When designing and making, the children are taught to:
Design
use research and develop design criteria to inform the design of innovative, functional, appealing products that are fit for purpose, aimed at particular individuals or groups.
generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through discussion, annotated sketches, cross-sectional diagrams, prototypes, pattern pieces and computer-aided design.
Make
select from and use a wider range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks (for example, cutting, shaping, joining and finishing, as well as chopping and slicing) accurately.
select from and use a wider range of materials, ingredients and components, including construction materials, textiles and ingredients, according to their functional properties, aesthetic qualities and, where appropriate, taste.
Evaluate
investigate and analyse a range of existing products.
evaluate their ideas and products against their own design criteria and consider the views of others to improve their work.
understand how key events and individuals in design and technology have helped shape the world.
Develop, Use and Apply Technical Knowledge
apply their understanding of how to strengthen, stiffen and reinforce more complex structures.
understand and use mechanical systems in their products.
understand and use electrical systems in their products.
apply their understanding of computing to program, monitor and control their products
Understand some of the ways that food can be processed and the effect of different cooking practices
Impact
We endeavour to ensure that the sequence of content enables our children to progress whilst they are with us but also to provide the building blocks necessary to build on at secondary school and their learning journey beyond. We want them to see how they can make an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of the nation. Above all, the principles of our 5 C’s ethos – taking care, being committed and, of course, thinking creatively are all interwoven in our teaching and learning.