Design Technology
Policy, Long Term Plan and Skills Progression Grids
Intent
At Burnley Road Academy we believe Design and Technology has an important role in teaching a broad curriculum. Various teaching approaches are used but this is a practical subject that allows children to make sense and gain and expertise of appliance and processes in their immediate environment through first hand experiences. Design and Technology prepares children to participate in an ever changing technical world. Using creativity and problem solving pupils will design, make, evaluate and develop their technical knowledge to create products within a variety of contexts considering the design criteria. As their skills progress through the different strands of cooking, textiles and construction using a variety of techniques that progress through the key stages, they will begin to understand how design has impacted history and the way in which we live. Children will develop their technical knowledge of mechanical, electrical systems and their critical ability to evaluate theirs and others work taking influence from how things could be improved. Our academy values are developed through design and technology by showing children courage and perseverance when learning and developing a new skill. It develops teamwork when working together to produce or evaluate existing products and product they have made. We develop compassion when evaluating their own and others product and understanding that learning can be difficult.
Implementation
The Design technology curriculum follows the progression of skills, learning and knowledge from the Early Years to Key Stage One, Lower Key Stage Two and Upper Key Stage Two. Teachers use the long-term plan and skills progression for each unit. This sets out the objectives, knowledge, skills and vocabulary children will gain throughout the topic. We understand the importance of revisiting key subject skills therefore each year group is aware of prior learning and revisits this using the skills progression document. When and where appropriate cross curricular links will be used to support the teaching of design and technology skills. At Burnley Road Academy we use a variety of resources to support the teaching and progression of skills and knowledge in each unit using different themes. Each unit should develop their techniques, while evaluating, making and designing products. Resources will be renewed and audited yearly to ensure that everything is provided to affectively teach this subject Teachers recognise through regular end of unit assessments on target tracker the need for differentiation. Children showing high achievements in skills and knowledge will need a greater challenge. Lower achieving children will be provided appropriate scaffolding or supporting measures to encourage independence. The school will provide inclusion and appropriate adjustments to allow independence based on the individual need of children with SEND. These adjustments will be made on the IEP, RAPS or teachers individual planning.
Impact
Design and Technology is shown in school through displays, website, social media and photographs. Children have an exercise book which any written work will be presented. Teachers will assess pupils after each unit of work using the objectives on Target Tracker. Subject leaders will moderate to ensure that children are prepared for the next stage in learning and identify any areas for improvement. Pupil and staff interviews will take place through questioning and discussion to assess children skills, knowledge and use of vocabulary within design and technology. Work scrutiny’s will be done by the curriculum lead to review the pupils work in each class. Results of these may lead to changes in planning to consolidate any previous learning or enhance children’s skills. Children improve their enquiry skills and inquisitiveness about the world around them, and their impact through design and technology on the world. Children will become more confident in evaluating their work and giving their opinion on their own and existing products. Children show competences in improving their resilience and perseverance by continually evaluating and improving their work. In art children leave Key Stage 2 in line with national expectations
Cultural Capital in Design Technology
‘It is the essential knowledge that pupils need to be educated citizens, introducing them to the best that has been thought and said and helping to engender an appreciation of human creativity and achievement.’
Ofsted School Inspection Handbook 2019
At Burnley Road, we enhance children’s experiences and learning by developing different opportunities in our DT curriculum, around school and within our local community.
We plan and deliver stimulating topics throughout the year. Whilst teaching the National Curriculum, we also embed various experiences to develop the children’s skills in Design Technology in order to prepare them for high school and the real world.
We take advantage of any opportunities to visit the local and wider community to see what is happening around us.