Peel Brow School

Design and Technology

 Our D&T lead is Mrs O'Donnell

Intent

• Design and Technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject which has a vital role in contributing to a balanced curriculum and creating the problem solvers of the future.
• It is a subject that encourages children to ‘learn to think’ creatively to solve practical problems both as individuals and through teamwork.
• At Peel Brow, our aim is to encourage children to use their creativity and imagination to design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. We aim to, wherever possible, link work to other disciplines such as mathematics, science, computing and art.
• The children are also given opportunities to explore, reflect upon and evaluate past and present design technology and are encouraged to become problem solvers in their own right.

Implementation

• Through a variety of creative and practical activities, we teach the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to engage in the process of designing and making.
• Planning is supported by Focus materials and adapted to the particular needs and requirements of our children, including mixed age classes, ensuring the National Curriculum is followed.
• Key skills and knowledge for DT have been mapped across the school to ensure clear progression through the year groups.
• Key concepts and technical vocabulary are also included in planning which follows an overall design, make, evaluate structure.
• Design and technology lessons can also be taught as a block so that children’s learning is better focused throughout each unit of work.
• During the EYFS pupils explore and use a variety of media and materials through a combination of child initiated and adult directed activities.
• Units on nutrition are taught ensuring that children have a growing understanding of where food comes from, its seasonality and the need for a healthy and varied diet.

Impact

• Children will have clear enjoyment and confidence in Design and Technology that they will then apply to other areas of the curriculum. Through carefully planned and implemented learning activities the pupils develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world. They gain a firm foundation of knowledge and skills to see them equipped to take on further learning in High School.
•  Pupil’s skills and knowledge are assessed ongoingly by the teacher, throughout lessons and a summative assessment is completed after each lesson. This informs the teacher and Design and Technology coordinator of any further areas for curriculum development, pupil support and/or training requirements for staff. EYFS pupils' progress and attainment tells us whether each individual child is below expected, at expected or above expected attainment for their age

Please see below for our Design and Technology Curriculum