Design and Technology Curriculum
At Benwick Primary we value Design and Technology as an important part of our children’s entitlement to a broad and balanced curriculum. It is our intention to teach a Design and Technology curriculum, which is accessible to all and will maximise the design and technology development of every child. Our lessons are creative and engaging employing all aspects of visual, auditory and kinaesthetic learning so enable all learning styles to be catered for and making learning enjoyable. We intend to develop our children’s skills and knowledge in design, structures, mechanisms, electrical control and a range of materials, including food. Design and Technology encourages children's creativity and encourages them to think about important issues and explore the practical aspects of this area of the curriculum.
Intent
The overarching concepts for Design and Technology at Benwick School are that our children will:-
- Develop their basic skills
- Develop their knowledge and understanding of designing and making functional products.
- Develop their ability to design and make functional products for particular purposes and users.
- Develop creativity and innovation through design
- Explore the designed and made world in which we all live and work.
- We intend for all of our children to gain confidence in being ‘designers’ and to be enthused in this area of the curriculum.
Implementation:
Our implementation is developed through secure understanding of the curriculum and subject area.
We teach our Design and Technology lessons in blocks. This gives our children the opportunity to immerse themselves in the Design and Technology project and gives them the opportunity to gain greater depth and mastery in the subject area. Our children build on their previous knowledge and understanding of Design and Technology.
Through Design and Technology lessons at Benwick Primary School the children will progress through the Early Years Foundation Stage, KS1 and KS2, following the National Curriculum objectives. There are three core activities and processes children engage with in the Design and Technology teaching at Benwick School:
- Activities which involve investigating and evaluating existing products
- Focused tasks in which children develop particular aspects of knowledge and skills
- Designing and making activities in which children design and make 'something' for 'somebody' for 'some purpose'
Impact
Our children will develop skills in being articulate and are able to verbally, practically, pictorially and in written form reason well. The enjoyment in design and technology lessons promotes achievement, confidence and positive behaviour and a greater depth of understanding of the world around them.
Teachers use formative assessment to evaluate the learning during a lesson and block of lessons. Ongoing formative assessment provides teachers greater understanding of whether or not a concept has been grasped, and gives them the opportunity to feedback to pupils, to reinforce learning and to praise. Formal termly summative assessments, allow teachers and the school leadership team to evaluate how individuals, groups and the class as a whole are progressing compared to national expectations. They also give an excellent opportunity to see what concepts may need to be given additional time, and to adjust planning accordingly. They give the Design and Technology Leader and the Senior Leadership the opportunity to see where strengths and weaknesses lie and where additional support needs to be focused or if any areas of the curriculum need adjusting.