Curriculum Intent for Design and Technology
At St. Joseph’s we intend to create a Design Technology curriculum with appropriate subject knowledge, skills and understanding as set out in the National Curriculum Design Technology Programmes of study and following our Knowledge rich Cornerstones topics. In our Design and Technology lessons children will be encouraged, supported and challenged to design and make products that solve real, and relevant, problems within a variety of contexts and to consider their own, and others’, needs and values when creating their products. They will understand and use the design process where each project will follow: research, design, make and evaluate. This will develop their ability to work independently, to collaborate respectfully with others, to experiment and take risks, to innovate and to problem solve – all fundamental skills they will need to succeed in education and in adult life, and to make a positive contribution to society for the common good.
In addition children will learn about and evaluate, significant projects and individuals in the fields of engineering, architecture, textiles and food to gain an understanding of those who have helped shape the world around them.
Implementation
The teaching and implementation of Design and Technology at St Joseph’s is based on the National Curriculum and follows our Cornerstones topics primary Design and Technology scheme, which forms part of our sequenced, interconnected and knowledge-rich curriculum.
Delivery of design and technology projects has a clear structure. In Foundation and key stage 1 the children follow separate units of work whilst in key stage 2 years 3 and 4 and 5 and 6 work together on shared topics. Each year group will undertake three Design and Technology topics each year which will cover a balance of textiles, structures, mechanisms and food.
Delivery of each sequence of lessons will follow the design process where each project fill follow: research, design, make and evaluate.
A range of skills will be taught ensuring that children are aware of health and safety issues related to the tasks undertaken. In design technology children may well be asked to solve problems and develop their learning independently and /or to work as part of a team learning to support and help one another towards a challenging, yet rewarding goal.
We aim at the children at St. Joseph’s will have clear enjoyment and confidence in Design and Technology that they will then apply to other areas of the curriculum.
Our Long Term Plan showing what we cover is here: