'Let your light shine as a Designer'
Intent
At Tritlington Church of England First School, we aim to provide all children with a broad and balanced curriculum which prepares them for life beyond primary education. We want our children to experience a curriculum that encourages perseverance and creativity- skills we believe are essential to becoming effective and succesful innovators. Children at Tritlington receive a design and technology curriculum which encourages them 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 and will prepare them for the future in the world of work. Skills are taught progressively to ensure that all children are able to learn and practice in order to develop as they move through the school. Evaluation is an integral part of the design process and allows children to adapt and improve their product, this is a key skill which they need throughout their life. Children’s interests are captured using a literature based approach which we use to bring the learning to life.
Implementation
Our whole curriculum is shaped by our school vision which aims to enable all children, regardless of background, ability, additional needs, to flourish to become the very best version of themselves they can possibly be, thus letting their light shine.
We teach the National Curriculum, 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.
All teaching of DT follows design, make and evaluate cycle. In our teaching of DT at Tritlington, we consider the small steps of learning. Each stage is rooted in technical knowledge. The design process is rooted in real life, relevant contexts to give meaning to learning. While making, children are given choice and a range of tools to choose freely from. To evaluate, children learn to evaluate their own products against an agreed design criteria. Each of these steps is rooted in technical knowledge and vocabulary. DT is taught to a high standard, where each of the stages are given equal weight.
The key skills we teach children are:
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sewing and textiles
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cooking and nutrition
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electrical and mechanical components
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using materials
One unit of DT is taught each term, sometimes for one hour per week, at other times the sessions are grouped together.
Throughout the year we look for regular opportunities to enrich our curriculum by bringing in real life designers, engineers, cooking professionals and other D.T related experts. We do this to expose our children to D.T in action and provide them with an understanding of related careers. We also strive to look for cross-curricular links in D.T across the year so that children can apply and practise their skills in a variety of contexts.
Impact
Our DT curriculum is well thought and planned to demonstrate progression. It fosters a passion for the subject. By the time children leave our school they will have:
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An excellent attitude to learning and independent working.
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The ability to use time efficiently and work constructively and productively with others.
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The ability to carry out thorough research, show initiative and ask questions to develop an exceptionally detailed knowledge of users’ needs.
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The ability to act as responsible designers and makers, working ethically, using finite materials carefully and working safely.
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A thorough knowledge of which tools, equipment and materials to use to make their products.
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The ability to apply mathematical knowledge and skills accurately.
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The ability to manage risks exceptionally well to manufacture products safely and hygienically.
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A passion for the subject.
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Knowledge of significant designers, engineers and architects and the impact of their work.
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