Intent

At Newlaithes Junior School, the teaching of Design and Technology is a distinctive creative process that combines intellectual and practical skills through purposeful practical activities. The creative processes in which pupils are engaged involve a series of identifiable activities including:

• Identifying and investigating a need or design opportunity, and inquisitively evaluating existing products
• Showing innovation when developing design proposals, and modifying them in light of evaluation
• Planning for the implementation of the design solution i.e. learn and use the necessary skills and apply them effectively when making the proposed solution
• Showing enthusiasm and ambition when making informed decisions to solve problems that may arise during this process
• Evaluating the effectiveness of the process they are engaged in and the product they have made.
• Inspiring children to develop a love for Design & Technology, understanding that they can add value to this important discipline in the future

Pupils will use a range of communication skills, including verbal, graphical and modelling skills, to develop their thinking and the ability to take action in the process of designing. They will have opportunities to apply value judgements of an aesthetic, economic, scientific and technical nature in their designing. They will also be encouraged to consider the moral nature of sustainability and the impact of the creation of their product on the environment.

Children will acquire and apply knowledge and understanding of:

• Materials and components
• Mechanisms and control systems
• Structures
• Existing products
• Quality
• Health and Safety
• Related vocabulary
• The need to avoid unnecessary wastage

 

Implementation

Design and Technology lessons are taught termly at Newlaithes Junior School, alternating each half term with Art topics. During each unit, children work towards creating a product that exemplifies their learning of the knowledge and skills stated in the Design and Technology National Curriculum.

Children present their work in their Art/DT books in the form of sketches, notes, plans, and photographs, showing their developing knowledge throughout topics. Topics may have cross-curricular links to other subjects, such as Science, History, Geography and Computing, and we promote the application of previously learned Maths skills throughout children’s Design and Technology learning.

Newlaithes have a wealth of Design and Technology resources that we use across the different topics of DT. Children will experience lessons in food, textiles, mechanisms, structures, and electrical systems in Lower Key Stage 2 (years 3 and 4) and then build on this learning in Upper Key Stage 2 (years 5 and 6).

Each topic, teachers complete a cycle of:

1. Research – into a product or historical figure in DT

2. Design – having the opportunity to use ideas from research to design and evaluate 2 or more initial ideas that fits the design criteria

3. Practicing the skills (before making final product)/Health and Safety considerations

4. Making the product

5. Evaluating the product

In some topics, there may be greater focus on a particular step/steps in the cycle.

Impact

Children will be enthused to complete DT topics of work, taking pride in problem solving and striving to achieve the success criteria.

Pupils will respond to verbal feedback throughout the cycle of research, design, making and evaluating, proactively making changes and improvements to their designs. They will also confidently self-reflect during each stage of the process and show an eagerness to improve their work. Children will draw upon vocabulary acquired across Newlaithes Junior School and use this to articulate their thoughts, feelings, and ideas.

Children will be aware of how their learning can be applied to the wider world and understand uses and professions where their knowledge can be applied. They will see themselves as inventors and creators, with the foundation of skills and understanding that will support them into secondary school and beyond.