Cam Woodfield Junior School

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Design & Technology at Cam Woodfield Junior School

Intent

In teaching DT we aim for all children to:

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

Rationale

The National Curriculum (2014) states that high quality DT education makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of the nation. At Cam Woodfield Junior School we recognise that DT is a cross-curricular subject and is therefore a valuable way that children can develop and use their skills learnt in all areas of the curriculum in order to develop a true mastery approach to learning.

Implementation

Overview of the Curriculum

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. Throughout their journey at Cam Woodfield Junior School, the children will be exposed to a range of DT skills (See Appendix A). Each Year group is required to complete a Knowledge, Design, Make, Evaluate and Improve cycle per DT topic.

Planning and Assessment

The National Curriculum guides our planning through developing the skills of designing, making, evaluating and developing technical knowledge. We use a cyclic planning structure, whereby the children are requires to complete ‘Knowledge, Design, Make, Evaluate and Improve’. Assessment is used to inform future planning and pupils are assessed in all areas of Design and Technology: children’s capability in designing and making and children’s repertoire of knowledge, skills and understanding. Teachers will use formative assessments as an ongoing design process (through questioning, observation and pupils work) as well as summative assessments at the end of each terms unit of work, against the objectives covered. Throughout the teaching and learning of Design and Technology, we spend time on the Retrieval of Knowledge from prior learning before accumulating more Sticky Knowledge, enabling children to progress in their Design and Technology knowledge and skills by knowing more, remembering more and being able to do more.

Monitoring and Evaluating

Regular professional development opportunities are provided in order to develop staff’s knowledge of the teaching of DT. The Projects on a Page units of work also provides CPD for each unit and staff are encouraged to ask for support and attend relevant courses to develop their skills and knowledge.

Specific Groups/ Vulnerable Children

At Cam Woodfield Junior School we believe that all children should have access to the curriculum and that when planning and teaching Design and Technology staff will make reasonable adjustments to promote equality of opportunity for all pupils. This could include:

allocating adult support
providing additional support materials

· providing alternative resources

modifying tasks

Health and Safety

It is important that children and staff understand the various hazards involved with DT equipment. Children need to be taught to use tools correctly. It is the responsibility of all staff to establish safe practice in the classroom.

Impact

At Cam Woodfield Junior School, we aim to ensure that all children have the opportunity to experience all areas of Design and Technology. The children are exposed to a range of skills which will encourage and help them to transition into young adults. We aim that the skills they develop in Design and Technology provide them with practical experiences leading into industry, as well as key life skills. The evaluation and improvement aspects of the cycle are designed to support the children into being more reflective and critical learners.

We will expect learners to achieve the following aims:

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.