Design Technology
‘Design is just not what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.’ Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple INC.
Design and Technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. Design and Technology encourages children to learn to think and intervene creatively to solve problems both as individuals and as members of a team. At Riverside, we encourage children to use their creativity and imagination, to design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. We aim to, wherever possible, link work to other subjects such as mathematics, science, computing and art. The children are also given opportunities to reflect upon and evaluate past and present design technology, its uses and its effectiveness and are encouraged to become innovators and risk-takers.
Implementation
Through a variety of creative and practical activities, we teach the knowledge, understanding and skills needed for children to engage in a process of designing and making. The children design and create products that consider function and purpose and which are relevant to a range of sectors (for example, the home, school, leisure, culture, enterprise, industry and the wider environment).
At Riverside Primary we use the Design and Technology Association plans to ensure Key skills and key knowledge are mapped across the school to ensure progression between year groups. The context for the children’s work in Design and Technology is also well considered and children learn about real life structures and the purpose of specific examples, as well as developing their skills throughout the programme of study.
Impact
We ensure the children:
• develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world
• 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 and critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products and the work of others
• understand and apply the principles of nutrition and learn how to cook. Children will design and make a range of products. A good quality finish will be expected in all design and activities made appropriate to the age and ability of the child
Children 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.
Key features of our curriculum:
At Riverside, we aim to create happy, confident pupils who can learn to take risks, be reflective, innovative, enterprising and resilient. This can all be achieved through high quality teaching in Design & technology. It is very cross-curricular and draws upon subject knowledge from science, history, PHSE, maths and computing.
The curriculum is based on sequencing the key features of design, make and evaluate. Design and Technology at Riverside aims to help the children to:
· Develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday task confidently and participate successfully in our increasing technological world.
· 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.
· Critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products including the work of others.
As part of food and nutrition, pupils will be taught how to cook and apply the principles of nutrition and healthy eating. Instilling a love of cooking is a crucial life skill that enables pupils to feed themselves and others affordably and well, now and in later life.
Riverside follows the scheme of work produced by the Design & Technology Association. This ensures skills and knowledge show progression throughout the year groups.
Design Technology Progression and Curriculum Overview:
