Statement of intent

Our Design and Technology (D&T) curriculum is fundamentally rooted in reality.  Every design follows the simplistic rule that the product must adhere to the ‘3s’, it must be made to provide something, for some one, for some purpose, therefore solving real and relevant problems.  The curriculum is designed to be progressive, rigorous and practical and, where appropriate, will be linked to other areas of the curriculum.  D&T gives children the opportunity to develop skills, knowledge and understanding of designing and making functional products. We feel it is vital to nurture creativity and innovation through design, and by exploring the designed and made world in which we all live and work. Pupils learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens. Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, they develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world. High-quality design and technology education makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and wellbeing of the nation.

Through the D&T curriculum, children develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world.  They build and apply a repertoire of knowledge, understanding and skills in order to design and make high-quality prototypes and products for a wide range of users.  They critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products and the work of others.  They also are taught to understand and apply the principles of nutrition and learn how to cook.

Additionally, Design and Technology helps us to teach Maths and English and other subjects on the curriculum in a fun and inspiring manner and put these subjects into context making them easier to digest and more understandable to younger primary age pupils.  The school has also developed links with a local engineering company (Bucher) who sponsored the purchase of two 3D printers for Year 6 which further embeds children’s understanding of how technology is used to support the design process.