Design Technology
Intent
Here at Park Junior School, Design and technology is seen as 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. Our 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. Our children should have a clear idea of who they are designing and making products for, considering their needs, wants, values, interests and preferences. The intended users could be themselves or others, an imaginary or story-based character, a client, a consumer or specific target group.
Implementation
Our long term planning here at Park, is used to outline clear achievable tasks matched to our pupils ’prior abilities whilst ensuring progression, continuity and subject coverage. Our progression of skills highlights the key principles of user, purpose, functionality, design decisions, innovation and authenticity. Our projects are carefully planned to bring out the full potential of the pupils. Prior progression and progression through our junior school is clear across the year groups, and the pitch is appropriate for each year group. As a result, learning is then revisited and embedded, and ensures that learners are being provided the opportunity to learn more. Our curriculum, whilst covering the statutory and non-statutory requirements, is linked to our wider curriculum and subjects. Pupils are given the opportunity to work within groups and on an individual basis to produce a design.
Our children will learn how to work collaboratively towards a common goal such as planning and developing projects. They will share ideas, make comparisons, negotiate and offer each other feedback in order to ensure a high quality outcome. They will become enthusiastic, motivated independent learners, with a real love of learning.
Impact
We believe that it is essential that all our children are able to develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world. Our children will be able to 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. They can critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products and the work of others. The children will become more confident and understand the principles of nutrition, health and safety and the application of cooking through our progressive units. They are given equal opportunities to develop the relevant skills, regardless of ability, gender, race or cultural background and will be challenged to achieve their very best. A range of monitoring strategies by the subject leader will be undertaken to support the assessment of impact across year groups.