Design and Technology (D.T.)

Intent

As a ‘School of Mastery’, we aim to provide its pupils with a high-quality, inclusive design and technology education with a no-ceiling approach to all the pupils’ learning where every pupil can achieve their full potential. D&T is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. Using creativity and imagination, children will 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 will acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on subjects such as mathematics, Science, engineering, computing and art. The pupils will learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens. Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, they will develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world.

Implementation

At St William’s we aim for all pupils to develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world.

As a ‘School of Reading’, we engage pupils through the use of high-quality texts to develop their technical knowledge, which involves knowing about the technical theories that underpin design including design challenges.

As a ‘School of Enquiry’, we use enquiry skills to look at products already in existence, whether it’s natural or manufactured to take inspiration from them as starting points for their own designs.

As a ‘School of Oracy’, pupils’ will critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products and the work of others using the add, build and challenge dialogic teaching approach; working in talk partners, small groups and through whole class discussions.

At St William’s we also aim for all pupils’ to:

• develop their neurological pathways by practicing applying technical knowledge and practical knowledge to their projects
• 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
• follow the think, make, break and repeat design process when developing their first prototypes
• understand and apply the principles of nutrition and learn how to cook.

Impact

Pupils will be able to access the design and technology secondary school curriculum successfully and will have the essential skills and personal characteristics to support active participation in lessons; that enable them to express and articulate their creative ideas and thinking in a variety of ways to arrive at mastery. They will be independent, self-aware and have the ability to form strong relationships that will enable then to become life-long learners and well-rounded citizens, who can make an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of our diverse nation

DT progression of skills