DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY

The 2014 National Curriculum for Design & Technology aims to ensure that all children:

develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world

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

critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products and the work of others

understand and apply the principles of nutrition and learn how to cook.

INTENT 

We intend to provide our children with the opportunities to develop their hidden talents and broaden their horizons. This, in turn, will open up a wider world of opportunities. Through the development of knowledge around sources, cause & consequence and their own questioning and inquiries into a range of areas of STEM, children will become reflective and resilient individuals.

IMPLEMENTATION

Children explore D&T through a wide range of topics and hands-on opportunities.  This exploration is implemented with a range of sources, media, visits, workshops and virtual experiences that enhance the development of knowledge.  Our curriculum is planned as such that it provides our children with regular opportunities to revise and revisit their learning. Lessons contain theoretical content and practical application across all areas of technology. Children actively partake in the reflective learning process, through planning, creating and evaluating a variety of projects. They present their knowledge in a variety of ways, both teacher and child-led.

IMPACT

Children of MBHT leave school with the skills and knowledge needed for their everyday life. They are confident to use a range of practical skills and know how to utilise equipment safely and effectively.  They will develop a broad range of subject knowledge that enables them to problem solve, innovate and take calculated risks to become capable citizens. This is then a platform for children to explore their future with a well-informed knowledgeable understanding of opportunities that require a disciplined and resourceful mind.

Careers

Design technology is an area that is consistently evolving with new initiatives, technologies and programmes available. There are therefore many career opportunities that can blossom from an effective Design Technology Curriculum:

• Builder
• Architect
• Caterer 
• Nutritionist
• Dietician
• Bricklayer
• Graphic Designer
• Software Developer
• Fashion Designer
• Civil Engineer
• Chef
• Electrician
• Quantity Surveyor
• Mechanic 

Significant figures coverage

At Matlock Bath Holy Trinity C of E Primary School, we follow the Cornerstones scheme of work, however we adapt this to meet the local needs of our children and enrichment opportunities. We work on a three year cycle in Reception and Key Stage 1,  a four year cycle in Key Stage 2. The complete lists of designers and significant figures for DT that we will cover can be found in our school’s medium term plans, as these are often related to our topics. We will however cover a wide variety of men and women from different cultures, inspirational figures who are living with different disabilities, alongside covering those that are both alive and dead.

SMSC

In DT, the children often work in a communal, social manner in group projects where discussions on preferences, compromises and sharing ideas are key. Working in groups allows children to learn from each other and to share ideas and feelings, and helps them to develop a respect for the abilities of other children and encourages collaboration. We also promote spiritual development by helping the community with our DT projects. Children also gain a strong sense of achievement through following a design through to a product, and having their ideas heard and valued.

In relation to children’s moral development, we do many upcycling projects and emphasise the importance of reusing materials. Design Technology supports our children’s cultural development work as they study various cultures and civilizations from around the world. This leads to a greater understanding of different ways of life and a respect for cultures that are very different from our own; how they can enrich our own lives. 

British Values

By connecting our British Values through the teaching of DT, we explore issues that affect us all in our lives and this helps inform decisions that will shape our future. An example is the right to have a different opinion and the need to respect the views and opinions of others when discussing different designs and creations.

Protected Characteristics

At Matlock Bath Holy Trinity C of E Primary School, we want to give our children an open, respectful and realistic mindset towards the wonderful world we live in and how this relates to design technology. We strive to expose them to a range of significant people from all different backgrounds related to the protected characteristics, and have planned for this in our varied curriculum. We will also look at how Design Technology has evolved to support people who are struggling with a variety of issues and how different products support people with their everyday lives. 

Useful links and websites including things you can do with your child

Places you can go with your child:

• Chatsworth House Architecture: https://www.chatsworth.org/ 
• Derby Museum https://www.derbymuseums.org/museum-and-art-gallery/
• Nottingham industrial museum https://maestro.cornerstoneseducation.co.uk/memorable-experiences
• Magna https://www.visitmagna.co.uk/
• Museum of science and industry https://www.scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk/
• Sculptures at Chatsworth House: https://www.chatsworth.org/visit-chatsworth/chatsworth-estate/art-archives/devonshire-collections/sculpture/ 
• Yorkshire Sculpture Park: https://ysp.org.uk/visit 

Useful links

• BBC Bitesize https://www.bbc.co.uk/teach/ks1-design-and-technology/zfycmfr