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Whinless Down Academy

Whinless Down Academy

Design Technology

Intent -

Our Design and Technology curriculum aims to inspire children through a broad range of practical experiences to create innovative designs which solve real and relevant problems within a variety of different contexts. The iterative design process is fundamental and runs throughout our curriculum. This process encourages children to identify real and relevant problems, critically evaluate existing products and then take risks and innovate when designing and creating solutions to the problems. As part of the iterative process, time is built in to reflect, evaluate and improve on prototypes using design criteria throughout to support this process. Opportunities are provided for children to evaluate key events and individuals who have helped shape the world, showing the real impact of design and technology on the wider environment and helping to inspire children to become the next generation of innovators.

Implement –

Design and Technology skills and understanding are taught in the context of ‘topic’ lessons, following an iterative process. However, this is not to say that this structure should be followed rigidly: it allows for the revision of ideas to become part of good practice and ultimately helps to build a depth to children's understanding. Through revisiting and consolidating skills, our DT lessons help children build on prior knowledge alongside introducing new skills, knowledge and challenge. The revision and introduction of key vocabulary is built into each lesson. This vocabulary is then included on the knowledge organiser and display materials and additional resources to ensure that children are allowed opportunities to repeat and revise this knowledge. Adult guides and accurate design and technology subject knowledge are always provided within lessons to allow the teacher and adults working in those lessons to feel confident and supported with the skills and knowledge that they are teaching. Through these lessons, we intend to inspire pupils and practitioners to develop a love of Design and Technology and see how it has helped shaped the ever-evolving technological world they live in.

Impact –

The impact of teaching Design Technology in this way will be visible the school with an increase in the profile of Design and Technology:

  • The learning environment across the school will be more consistent with design and technology technical vocabulary displayed, spoken and used by all learners. Children will be increasingly confident in the plan, make, evaluate process in all areas of DT.  
  • Children will demonstrate an ability ‘to think outside the box’ and demonstrate problem solving skills, which can be applied across the curriculum.
  • Children will be able to take on challenges and responsibility in their own learning in preparation for secondary school. 
  • Wholeschool and parental engagement will be improved through the use of design and technologyspecific home learning tasks and learninglandings which showcase children’s Design Technology learning.

Impact can also be measured through key questioning skills built into lessons and a child-led approach to assessment throughout the learning process and as part of the children’s ability to reflect on their learning and share their understanding through the ‘Learning Landing.’