Mission Statement

“Design and Technology in primary schools develops children’s skills and knowledge in design, structures, mechanisms, electrical control and a range of materials, including food. It encourages children's creativity and encourages them to think about important issues”. (Design and Technology Association).

Intent

Design and technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. Using creativity and imagination, pupils design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. 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.

Design and Technology education involves two important elements:

1. Learning about the designed and made world and how things work
2. Learning to design and make functional products for particular purposes and users

In Design and Technology, children acquire and apply knowledge and understanding of materials and components, mechanisms and control systems, structures, existing products, quality and health and safety.

Design and Technology education helps develop children’s skills and knowledge in design, materials, structures, mechanisms and electrical control. They are encouraged to be creative and innovative, and are actively encouraged to think about important issues such as sustainability and enterprise.

Curriculum Aims

The national curriculum for design and technology aims to ensure that all pupils:

• 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
• 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.
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Implementation

Design and Technology is taught across the school from the EYFS to Year 6. Teachers plan either using the Herts for Learning Scheme of work and/or also have their own ideas, which may be inspired from the topic they are teaching. In the Early Years, design and technology takes the form or EAD (Expressive arts and design) and children will be encouraged to make and design products either in adult directed or child initiated play. For all year groups, the medium term plans outline which areas will be covered during the year. Each teacher will teach it according to their class and it can be taught in blocks and/or taught as when making links to a topic.