Intent 

At Acres Hill Primary School we intend to build a Design Technology curriculum which is inspiring, rigorous, and practical. We want our children to use 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 intend for all children to acquire appropriate subject knowledge, skills and understanding as set out in the National Curriculum. It is our aim to create strong cross curricular links with other subjects, such as Mathematics, Science, Computing, and Art.  

Our Design Technology curriculum: 

• Creates opportunities for pupils to explore many different aspects of making. 

• Prepares our children, to give them the opportunities, responsibilities, and experiences they need to be successful in later life. 

• Is knowledge-rich, and pupils will learn a wide range of skills, developing understanding and showing clear progression.  

• Balances declarative knowledge with experiential knowledge, building self-knowledge and nurturing traits in learners which will hold them in good stead whichever direction their learning takes them. 

Implementation 

Our Design Technology Curriculum is overseen by our Design Technology Lead.  The Lead provides training and support to staff, quality assurance regarding the delivery of our DT program and reports directly to Senior Leaders. 

The Design Technology Curriculum: 

• Is taught weekly to classes in Key stage 1 & 2.  

• Foundation stage pupils are given a range of opportunities to explore the curriculum through adult led sessions and through activities set up within continuous provision. 

• A well thought out, whole school, yearly overview of the DT curriculum which allows for progression across year groups in all areas of DT (textiles, mechanisms, structures, food and electrical systems)  

• • Well planned and resourced projects providing children with a hands-on and enriching experience  

• • A range of skills being taught ensuring that children are aware of health and safety issues related to the tasks undertaken 

Impact 

We recognise that in order to make progress children require high quality teaching of Design Technology. Children will have clear enjoyment and confidence in Design 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.  

Our Design Technology Curriculum is assessed through: 

• Images of the children’s practical learning. 

• Testing out working models and finished products 

• Reflective discussions and peer critiquing 

• Interviewing the pupils about their learning (pupil voice). 

• Progression over time seen in pupils learning journey books.