Design & Technology

Intent

Harpur Hill Primary School’s design and technology scheme of work aims to inspire pupils to be innovative and creative thinkers who have an enjoyment and appreciation for the subject and the three strands: design, make and evaluate. We intend for pupils to develop the confidence to take risks, through drafting design concepts, modelling and testing. We also want pupils to think of themselves as reflective learners, who evaluate their own work and that of others. We want pupils to leave Harpur Hill Primary School with an awareness of the impact that Design and Technology has on our lives, leaving more confident, enterprising and resourceful with the skills needed to contribute to future design advancements.

Implementation

At Harpur Hill Primary School, pupils from year 1 through to 6 engage in our carefully planned Design and Technology curriculum. Following a spiral curriculum ensures knowledge and skills are built on year by year and sequenced to maximise learning for all children. Design and technology lessons are also taught as a block so that children’s learning is focused throughout each unit of work. Through this selection of creative and practical activities, we teach the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to engage in the three strands of Design and Technology outlined by the national curriculum, design, create and evaluate.

Through our Design and Technology curriculum, pupils are taught to:

Design

Use research to inform the design of innovative, functional and appealing products that are fit for purpose, aimed at particular individuals or groups.
Generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through discussion, annotated sketches, cross-sectional and exploded diagrams, prototypes, pattern pieces and computer- aided design.

Make

Select from and use a wider range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks [for example, cutting, shaping, joining and finishing], accurately.
Select from and use a wider range of materials and components, including construction materials, textiles and ingredients, according to their functional properties and aesthetic qualities.

Evaluate

Investigate and analyse a range of existing products.
Evaluate their ideas and products against their own design criteria and consider the views of others to improve their work.
Understand how key events and individuals in design and technology have helped shape the world.

Develop, Use and Apply Technical Knowledge

apply their understanding of how to strengthen, stiffen and reinforce more complex structures.
understand and use mechanical systems in their products.
understand and use electrical systems in their products.
apply their understanding of computing to program, monitor and control their products.
Understand some of the ways that food can be processed and the effect of different cooking practices (including baking and grilling).

Impact

Through our carefully planned and implemented design and technology curriculum, our pupils develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in the wider world. Pupils are assessed through both formative and summative assessment, to ensure pupils are meeting the aims set out in the Design and Technology national curriculum. We want pupils to enjoy their design and technology lessons and leave Harpur Hill Primary School with a range of skills that will enable them to succeed in their secondary education and be innovative and resourceful members of society.

The expected impact of our Design and Technology curriculum is that children will:

Understand the functional and aesthetic properties of a range of materials and resources.
Understand how to use and combine tools to carry out different processes for shaping, decorating and manufacturing products.
Build and apply a repertoire of skills, knowledge and understanding to produce high quality, innovative outcomes, including models, prototypes, CAD and products to fulfil the needs of users, clients and scenarios.
Understand and apply the principles of healthy eating, diets and recipes, including key processes, food groups and cooking equipment.
Have an appreciation for key individuals, inventions and events in history and of today that impact our world.
Recognise where our decisions can impact the wider world in terms of terms of community, social and environmental issues.
Self-evaluate and reflect on learning at different stages and identify areas to improve.
Meet the end of key stage expectations outlined in the National curriculum for Design and technology.