Design Technology

Design and Technology prepares children to take part in the development of tomorrow’s rapidly changing world. Creative thinking encourages children to make positive changes to the quality of life. The subject encourages children to think critically and become creative problem-solvers, both as individuals and as part of a team. It enables them to identify needs and opportunities to respond by developing ideas and eventually making products and systems. Through the study of design and technology they can combine practical skills with an understanding of aesthetics, social and environmental issues, as well as the functions. This allows them to reflect on and evaluate present and past design and technology, it’s uses and its impacts.

Values are at the heart of all we do at CSPIS. As Designers the children reflect on our values and British Values in the context of design and invention – using what they learn to look for ways to make our world a better place and become increasingly self-sufficient within it.

Intent

Our intent is to foster enjoyment, satisfaction and purpose in designing things. We inspire pupils to be innovative and creative thinkers who have practical experience and an appreciation of the product design development process. We want pupils to develop confidence in taking risks through drafting design concepts, modelling and testing to be reflective learners who evaluate their work and the work of others. We aim to build an awareness of the impact of design and technology on our lives and encourage pupils to become resourceful, enterprising citizens who will have the skills to contribute to future design advancements.

Implementation

The school uses a variety of teaching and learning styles in design and technology lessons. The principal aim is to develop children’s knowledge, skills and understanding in design and technology. Teachers ensure that the children apply their knowledge and understanding when developing ideas, planning and making products, and then evaluating them. We do this through a mixture of whole class teaching and individual or group activities. Within lessons we give children the opportunity both to work on their own and to collaborate with others, listening to other children’s ideas and treating these with respect. Children critically evaluate their own work and that of others. They have the opportunity to use a wide range of materials and resources, including ICT.As they move through the school they are encouraged to explore, discover and create using skills and techniques learnt.

Impact

Teachers assess children’s work in design and technology by making assessments as they observe the pupils working during lessons, checking use of vocabulary and pupil feedback.  Teachers record the progress that children make by assessing the children’s work against the learning objectives for their lessons. At the end of a unit of work teachers make a judgement against the National Curriculum levels of attainment. Older children are encouraged to make judgements on ways in which their work can be improved. Teachers then use the levels that they record to plan the future work of each child.