“Design is not just what it looks like and feels like, design is how it works.”

Steve Jobs

Intent

At Chivenor Primary School- We are designers. We believe Design and Technology is a creative process involving children learning about the world in which they live. Design and Technology prepares children to take part in the development of tomorrow’s rapidly changing world. We want our children to use 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.

At Chivenor Primary, we intend to build a Design and Technology curriculum which is inspiring, rigorous and practical. This curriculum promotes autonomy and creative problem-solving, which enables children to work as individuals and as part of a team. It empowers the children to identify needs and opportunities and to respond by developing ideas and eventually making products and systems. Through the study of Design and Technology, they combine practical skills with an understanding of aesthetic, social and environmental issues. Through reflection and evaluation of past and present Design and Technology, pupils will begin to develop a critical understanding of its uses, effectiveness and impact on daily life and the wider world.

Implementation

The Design and Technology curriculum is monitored by the Arts Hub to promote continuous improvement by reviewing, evaluating and sharing best practice amongst all teachers. At Chivenor Primary School, we ensure children benefit from a D.T. curriculum which allows for progression across year groups in all areas of D.T. (textiles, mechanisms, structures, food and electrical systems). We ensure projects are well planned and resourced, providing children with a hands-on and enriching experience. Children are taught a range of skills, ensuring that children are aware of health and safety issues related to the tasks undertaken.

In D.T. teachers are given flexibility to teach as a block of lessons to allow the time needed for the children to be critical, inventive and reflective on their work. They address the principles of designing, making, evaluating and incorporating relevant technical knowledge and understanding in relevant contexts. They use simple tools and techniques appropriately, effectively and safely; select appropriate resources for a product, adapt their work where necessary and cook and prepare food adhering to good health and hygiene routines.

Impact

Children will have clear enjoyment and confidence in Design and Technology which they will then apply to other areas of the curriculum. Through carefully planned and implemented learning activities, the pupils will develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world.

An integral part of the Design and Technology curriculum is taking risks and whilst undertaking purposeful projects, children will undoubtedly make mistakes but will also build resilience and tenacity: becoming confident problem-solvers empowering not only themselves but others around them too. For those children who may not always excel in core subjects, this platform will have created an engaging, creative academic outlet to develop vocational skills which can be transferred to many careers and hobbies.

They will gain a firm foundation of knowledge and skills to see them equipped to take on further learning in secondary school and beyond.