At St Richard’s Catholic Primary School we recognise the importance of Design and Technology in everyday life and the importance it will have in our children’s future. Design and Technology is about practical problem solving and using materials available to us to solve problems in a real life environment. The process of identifying a need, designing a solution, building an artefact and testing and evaluating is rewarding for the child, particularly if it has some relevant function or application.  Some of the DT takes place outside as part of the children’s Forest School lessons.

Intent

We recognise the importance of Design and Technology for pupils of all abilities as a subject which helps prepare them for the challenges of life as well as being an enjoyable and stimulating subject in its own right.

The National Curriculum for design and technology aims to ensure that all pupils:

• Develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world
• Build and apply a repertoire of knowledge, understanding and skills in order to design and make high-quality prototypes and products for a wide range of users
• Critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products and the work of others
• Understand and apply the principles of nutrition and learn how to cook.

Implementation

St Richard’s Catholic Primary School uses a variety of teaching and learning methods in Design and Technology lessons. The principal aim is to develop children’s knowledge, skills and understanding in the subject. Teachers ensure that children apply their knowledge and understanding when developing ideas, during planning and making products and when evaluating them. This is done through a mixture of whole-class teaching and individual or group activities. Within lessons, children are given the opportunity both to work on their own and to collaborate with others, listening to other children’s ideas and treating these with respect. Children critically evaluate existing products, their own work and that of others. They have the opportunity to use a wide range of materials and resources. We recognise the importance of inclusion and the Design and Technology curriculum ensures equal access to all pupils.

Health and Safety

Safe working conditions must be maintained for all pupils, employees, visitors and members of the public. Staff must ensure that children are aware of any possible risks when using tools or materials during DT and taught how to use equipment safely. Risk assessments for specific lessons should be included in the plans.

Impact

As stated in the National Curriculum, ‘High-quality design and technology education makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of the nation’. Each topic is planned and delivered with clearly defined learning objectives which are shared with the pupils. By the end of a unit children are expected to know, apply and understand the skills and processes specified in the programme of study. Pupils’ work is assessed using our skills progression document and Target Tracker. Parents are informed of progress in DT through end of year reports.