Design and Technology

Intent

At Meavy Primary we have planned our Design and Technology curriculum with the intent that our children will gain an enjoyable experience of D&T and one which systematically improves their knowledge, skill and understanding in the subject. Our schools use ‘Projects on a Page’ by the Design and Technology Association and we aim to provide all children with a broad and balanced curriculum which prepares them for life beyond primary education. 

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 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. Design and Technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. It can be found in many of the objects children use each day and is a part of children’s immediate experiences. Design and Technology encourages children to learn to think and intervene creatively to solve problems both as individuals and as members of a team.

The Design and Technology curriculum combines skills, knowledge, concepts and values to enable children to tackle real problems. It can improve analysis, problem solving, practical capability and evaluation skills. We aim to, wherever possible, link work to other disciplines such as mathematics, science, computing and art.

Implementation

Design Technology is taught in all year groups through at least one topic per term.  The teaching of Design Technology across the school follows the National Curriculum through the use of Design and Technology Association's 'Projects On A Page' documents.  This ensures that D&T makes a high-quality contribution to a broad and balanced primary curriculum, helping to raise standards in English and mathematics.  It is supported by a clear skills and knowledge progression. This ensures that skills and knowledge are built on year by year and sequenced appropriately to maximise learning for all children.

Through the use of Projects on a Page, each Project Planner includes three types of activity:  Investigative and Evaluative Activities (IEAs) where children learn from a range of existing products and find out about D&T in the wider world; Focused Tasks (FTs) where they are taught specific technical knowledge, designing skills and making skills; Design, Make and Evaluate Assignment (DMEA) where children create functional products with users and purposes in mind. Through IEAs and FTs children are equipped with the knowledge, understanding and skills to engage successfully and with increasing independence in a DMEA.

Impact

The Design and Technology curriculum will:

• Provide opportunities for all children to collaborate, learn from, understand and react to each other’s perspectives and strengths.

• Develop children’s subject vocabulary and skill in choosing and using appropriate tools and techniques.

• Give children an insight into how physical products can be created and an understanding of basic concepts used in everyday items.

• Set a firm foundation of subject skills to create a smooth transition to KS3.

• Children will move through, and leave the school, with the confidence that they can design, make and change products and items and belief that qualifications and careers incorporating D&T are within their capability.

• Have a positive impact on children’s self-efficacy.

Design and Technology in EYFS

Meavy CofE Primary School Design and Technology Curriculum Map
Meavy CofE Primary School Design and Technology Progression Map