“Design is a funny word. Some people think design means how it looks. But of course, if you look deeper, it’s really how it works.” – Steve Jobs
“Technology makes possibilities. Design makes solutions.” – John Maeda
Design and Technology prepares children to deal with tomorrow’s rapidly changing world. It encourages children to become independent, creative problem solvers and thinkers, both as individuals and part of a team. It enables them to identify needs and opportunities and to respond to these by developing a range of ideas and by making products and systems. Through the study of Design and Technology, our pupils combine practical skills with an understanding of aesthetic, social and environmental issues, as well as functions and industry. This allows them to reflect on and evaluate past and present technology, its uses and impacts.
We aim to provide children with a Design and Technology curriculum which is relevant in our rapidly changing world. We want to encourage our children to become problem solvers who can work creatively. We know that high-quality DT lessons will inspire children to think independently, innovatively and develop creative, procedural and technical understanding. Our DT curriculum provides children with opportunities to research, generate ideas and represent them in a number of ways, explore and investigate, develop their ideas, make a product and evaluate their work. They will use ICT to design, monitor and control their products. Children will be exposed to a wide range of media and through this they will develop their knowledge, skills, vocabulary and resilience.
The teaching of Design Technology across the school follows the National Curriculum through the use of the Design and Technology Association’s ‘Projects On A Page’ documents. Children design products with a purpose in mind and an intended user of the products. Food technology is implemented across the school with children developing an understanding of where food comes from, the importance of a varied and healthy diet and how to prepare this. Design and technology is a crucial part of school life and learning and it is for this reason that as a school we are dedicated to the teaching and delivery of a high quality Design and Technology curriculum; through well planned and resourced projects and experiences.
Design and Technology also embeds our Learner Profile Attributes. It is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject, requiring creativity, resourcefulness, and imagination. Pupils design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts. It is cross-curricular and draws upon subject knowledge and skills within Mathematics, Science, History, Computing and Art. Children learn to take risks, be reflective, innovative, enterprising and resilient. Through the evaluation of past and present technology they can reflect upon the impact of Design Technology on everyday life and the wider world.
Assessment of children’s learning in Design Technology is an ongoing monitoring of children’s understanding, knowledge and skills by the class teacher, throughout lessons. This assessment is then used to inform further support and challenge required by the children.
Summative assessment is conducted termly by class teachers across each year group of the school to inform the subject leader of progress or skills and knowledge still to be embedded.
Design Technology is also monitored by the subject leader throughout the year in the form of book monitoring, looking at outcomes and pupil interviews to discuss their learning and understanding and establish the impact of the teaching taking place.
Upon leaving Molehill Primary Academy, pupils will be able to act as responsible designers; working safely with tools and equipment. They will have developed passion, enjoyment and confidence in Design and Technology which they can then apply to other aspects of the curriculum, beyond school into adulthood.