Design Technology
At Thurton CE Primary School, we want our children to enjoy designing and making products that solve a problem or meet a need. We aim to develop knowledge and skills which will enable children to explore and develop their imagination and creativity in a range of relevant contexts. We want to encourage them into being innovative thinkers when working either individually or as part of a team. We provide opportunities to evaluate existing products and to research the needs and desires of the consumer in a rapidly changing world.
Progression of Learning
The key skills that the children will acquire is embedded within the National Curriculum for both key stages. At Thurton CE Primary school wherever possible we link this learning to the broader topics being covered each term in each class. Key skills and knowledge have been mapped for each year group and are progressive across the school. We aim to develop children’s curiosity for and engagement in this subject through well planned and resourced projects and experiences.
Succession of Design Technology Knowledge
Progression of DT Disciplinary Knowledge
Each unit of learning is presented to the children as a learning journey with a clearly defined end point project which will demonstrate their application of skills acquired. This allows children to understand the small steps in learning that need to take place to achieve the larger goal at the end of the of the journey. All projects undertaken will start with a design brief to address a specific purpose or need. Children then master the necessary practical skills required to be successful in their final product, they then design, make, evaluate and look for ways to improve.
Children are encouraged to take risks, be reflective, innovative, enterprising and resilient.
Example Design Technology Unit:
Teacher Guide:
Links to the broader curriculum are explicitly made. Teachers frequently check existing knowledge prior to starting a learning journey and links to previous and future learning are made clear.
As children move through the learning journey they are able to track how well they have performed at each stop through the use of colour coded feedback. At the end of each learning journey, knowledge and skills are reviewed and assessed. Feedback is shared with parents at termly learning conferences and yearly reports.
Characteristics of an effective Design Technology Pupil at Thurton CE Primary School:
