DT Leader: Emily Slattery

Intent

In our Design and Technology curriculum the children will be able to develop their creative, technical and practical skills enabling them to feel able to work within the increasingly technological world and to link their skills across the curriculum. They will learn the skills and knowledge required to be successful in designing and producing individual products, while being able to evaluate and suggest improvements to their work and so carry forward the principles of trial and improvement, of resilience and investigation in all areas of their work and life including nutrition and cooking.

Implementation

 The DT curriculum is linked in meaningful ways to other areas of the curriculum. This provides a fun and informative way to learn about the world around us both now and in the past.

 Our DT topics culminate in the creation of a product, based on relevant research into current products.

 DT operates on a two year rolling program which accommodates the mixed year groups.

 Through cooking lessons and in conjunction with the Science curriculum, children learn about the nutritional needs of the people in their environment and how to provide for those needs.

 Children are taught the skills and knowledge to help them solve the problems they come across in an increasingly technological world.

 Feedback is undertaken whenever possible with the children present and assessment is proportionate.  In all classes, there are children of differing ability.

We recognise this fact and provide suitable learning opportunities for all children by matching the challenge of the task to the ability of the child. Continuous assessment will provide next steps for all children.

Impact

 Children and teachers will enjoy the learning process and develop skills and knowledge which lead to greater understanding of the world.

 Children will be resilient investigators who are prepared to evaluate and improve all they do.  Pupils will be very well prepared for the next stage of their school journey.

 Outcomes for all year groups will show consistent good teaching and learning evidenced through books and pupil voice.

Year ½ Design and make a vehicle that moves

• Talk about their design ideas and what they are making;
• know about the movement of simple mechanisms
• Select tools and equipment suitable to the task; explain their choices;
• select some materials and components suitable to the task;
• measure, mark out, cut and shape materials and components with some accuracy;
• assemble, join and combine many materials with some accuracy;
• apply some finishing techniques

As part of our topic work on Ancient Egypt, the children in years 3 and 4 have been using their DT skills to design, make and evaluate shadufs.

To lift the water from the canal the ancient Egyptians used a shaduf.   A shaduf is a large pole balanced on a crossbeam, a rope and bucket on one end and a heavy counter weight at the other. By pulling the rope it lowered the bucket into the canal. The farmer then raised the bucket of water by pulling down on the weight. He then swung the pole around and emptied the bucket onto the field to irrigate the land.  They are still used today!

Children in Y/6 have been learning about healthy eating and cooking. they were lucky to have a workshop from our catering company Chartwells.

The children learnt about healthy food options and then prepared a healthy dish themselves.