Intent

At Ethelbert Road Primary School we value  Design Technology as an important part of the children's entitlement to a broad and balanced curriculum which develops learning and results in the acquisition of knowledge and skills. Design and Technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. Using creativity and imagination, pupils design and make products that solve real and relevent 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. 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.

Aims

The National Curriculum for Design and Technology aims to ensure that all pupils:

1. Develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform every day tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world.

2. 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.

3. Critique and evaluate and test their ideas and products and the work of others.

4. Understand and apply the principles and nutrition and learn how to cook.

Implementation

At Ethelbert Road we use the knowledge and skill progression steps from Focus Education to ensure skills and knowledge are built upon each year. We also ensure that there are:

• Clear and comprehensive scheme of work in line with the National Curriculum. The Design Technology National Curriculum and EYFS is planned for and covered in full within the EYFS, KS1 and KS2 school curriculum. Whilst the EYFS and National Curriculum forms the foundation of our curriculum, we make sure that children learn additional skills, knowledge and understanding and enhance our curriculum as and when necessary.
• Delivery of design and technology projects with a clear structure. Each year group will undertake a construction topic, a textile topic and a food/drink topic.
• Delivery showing clear following of the design process where each project fill follow: research, design, make and evaluate.
• Each year group has the opportunity to use a garden plot and take ownership and responsibility for cultivating the relevant crops.
• A range of skills will be taught ensuring that children are aware of health and safety issues related to the tasks undertaken.
• Clear and appropriate cross curricular links to underpin learning in multi areas across the curriculum giving the children opportunities to learn life skills and apply skills to ‘hands on’ situations in a purposeful context.
• Children will undertake design tasks and use skills from across the curriculum to fully explore the design process evaluating work ensuring that it is of the highest possible quality.
• Children contribute to Design and Technology focused displays in the hall. These displays celebrate exceptional practice and exemplify terminology and vocabulary used. Children often work collaboratively, supporting one another in order to achieve a common goal. In Design and Technology children are also challenged to problem solve and  develop their learning independently. This allows the children to have ownership over their curriculum and lead their own learning in Design Technology. 

Impact

Ongoing assessments take place throughout the year. Teachers use this information to inform future lessons; ensuring children are supported and challenged appropriately. This data is analysed on a termly basis to inform and address any trends or gaps in attainment. Children in the EYFS are assessed within Expressive Arts and Design area of learning and their progress is tracked termly. Age related expectation levels are reported to parents at the end of the Reception year.

We produce Floor Books every year to track pupil outcomes. These books have strong cross-curricular links and demonstrate the children's enjoyment and confidence in Design and Technology. Children will ultimately know more, remember more and understand more about Design Technology, demonstrating this knowledge when using tools or skills in other areas of the curriculum and in opportunities out of school. The large majority of children will achieve age related expectations in Design Technology and as designers children will develop skills and attributes they can use beyond school and into adulthood.