"Good buildings come from good people, and all problems are solved by good designs"
- Stephen Gardiner
"People who say it can’t be done should not interrupt those that are doing it."
- George Bernard Shaw
Why DT Is Important
Design and Technology gives children the opportunity to develop skill, knowledge and understanding of designing and making functional products. Using creativity and imagination, pupils design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. Ultimately, children learn how to take risks, become resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens, whilst utilising a range of communicative skills to express and present their designs.
National Curriculum Purpose of Study
Design and technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. Using creativity and imagination, pupils design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. They acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art. Pupils learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens. Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, they develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world. High-quality design and technology education makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of the nation.
What DT Looks Like at Ranworth
During DT sessions, children are encouraged to be inquisitive about the way products work. We encourage both asking and answering questions in order to deepen children’s understanding of product and product design. They will use market research to inform their designs and, as they move up through the school, will be encouraged to draw detailed designs and make prototypes in order to refine their designs before creating their final piece. Whilst making their products, staff will guide them through the technical skills they will require, modelling good practice and highlighting safety considerations with the children. Through the evaluation stage of our ‘Design, Make, Evaluate and Knowledge’
approach, children are encouraged to reflect upon their final products, considering how they could have altered their design or techniques to impact the overall appearance and usability of their product. Vocabulary will be explicitly taught at the beginning of every lesson. To facilitate children to know more and remember more key concepts run through the whole of our curriculum and opportunities to revisit previous learning are planned into every lesson.
Inclusion
All DT lessons/activities are designed and planned to include all children through a range of approaches. Lessons are planned to facilitate the best possible outcome for all children within the class.
Concepts Running Through DT
- Change - How we live, solutions to complex problems
- Power - Design, innovation, making the world a better place
- Diversity - Experience, Perspective, Creativity
- Comparison - Design, Designers, Ideas
- Significance - Designers, inventors, inventions
When DT is Taught
DT is taught every half term when each child will complete a projects. During KS1 and KS2 children will cover; structures, food, textiles, mechanisms, linkages and levers, electrical systems and cams.