Design and technology at Friars
Intent
The aim of the Design Technology curriculum is to provide children with memorable and inspiring learning experiences. The DT curriculum at Friars follows the National Curriculum and is progressive, building on children’s prior learning from EYFS to Year 6. Using creativity and imagination, pupils at Friars design and make products that solve real and relevant problems. Evaluation is a key part of the design process and children are encouraged to test, adapt and improve their products. The curriculum encourages children to develop their skills at problem-solving independently, but also as part of a team, sharing their ideas and working together to achieve and succeed.
The children also experience using a range of tools and equipment to make their products. Technical knowledge and skills are taught progressively to ensure children are able to practise and develop their knowledge of the subject and key skills as they move through the school.
Children also research and learn about significant designers and inventions, both ancient and modern, and their impact on the world.
They learn about our food, where it comes from and the importance of nutrition to health. Children learn about how our food is processed and why. They develop basic cooking skills through practical cooking activities and create and follow recipes.
Implementation
DT is delivered termly, alternating with Art. Where possible links are made with Geography and History topics. The subject also links to Science, Maths and Computing. Each year group follows and uses the progression of skills, recapping on what children have been taught in previous years.
Product design topics include an evaluation of an existing product. Children create their own design which links to a design brief. Children then build their product and test it and are encouraged to make improvements. They then evaluate their finished product against the design brief.
Topics relating to food encourages children to explore existing food products, create their own or follow recipes and develop their cooking skills. Children make different recipes and taste and evaluate what they have made.
Activities which enrich the children’s experience of DT include taking part in annual whole-school, mixed class STEM Week projects. Children experience cooking from different cultures during International Week. Half termly homework projects also include a DT focus.
Impact
Each step of the design, make, evaluate process should be evidenced in books. The ‘make’ phase of a project or recipe should be photographed as well as the finished product. Key vocabulary relevant to each topic is taught.