Design and Technology
Design and Technology Curriculum Statement, Knowledge and Skills Progression
Subject Vision: “Enjoy failure and learn from it. You can never learn from success.” James Dyson
We believe that Design and Technology (DT) encourages curiosity and imagination, and promotes an engagement of children who may not ordinarily enjoy practical, hands-on activities. Design and Technology teaches children to be aware of the world around them, and to make rational, economic and ecological based decisions. This enables children to understand how their decisions affect people and the environment. In lessons, pupils explore different questions that life presents them, and develop skills and attitudes to tackle, investigate and find answers to these questions. Pupils will also work as part of a team to solve problems, and take part in class and group discussion, working through different roles, and taking on board constructive criticism. Children look at different situations around the world and consider ways in which Design and Technology could provide positive contributions and improve the quality of life.
Statement of Intent:
The aims of our Design and Technology curriculum are to develop pupils who can demonstrate the following things:
- demonstrate a progressive development of knowledge and skills
- learn how to take risks, and become resourceful, innovative and enterprising
- develop children’s understanding of the impact design and technology has on our daily lives, as this continues to evolve
- enable children to talk about how things work and to develop technical knowledge, skills and understanding
- select appropriate tools and techniques when making a product, following safe procedures
- use opportunities to apply this growing body of knowledge, understanding and skills in order to design, make and evaluate prototypes and products for a wide range of users
- develop an awareness of the technological process
- foster enjoyment, satisfaction and purpose in designing and making things
- develop pupils ability to critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products, and the work of others
- learn to understand and apply the principles of nutrition and learn how to cook.
Whimple Primary has chosen a knowledge-engaged curriculum. This means following a skills-progression curriculum model with knowledge underpinning the application of skills. The 2002 Education Act requires schools to provide a ‘balanced and broadly based curriculum’ which promotes the spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development of children at our schools and prepares them for the opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of later life. We intend to deliver the 2014 National Curriculum in a purposeful, engaging and creative way by providing a broad curriculum that ensures that there are enough subjects on the timetable and a balanced curriculum that ensures that each subject is given sufficient space on the timetable to deliver its distinct contribution. The school curriculum is broader than the National Curriculum and our intention is to give children a richer and deeper experience that is not limited by the National Curriculum.