Design and Technology Subject Leader: Mrs S Henriksen
Design and technology are inspiring and practical subjects.
Intent
At Rosherville, our Design and Technology curriculum inspires pupils to become creative thinkers, problem-solvers and innovators. Rooted in our Christian vision, “The smallest seed can grow into the largest tree,” we believe that every child can develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to design, make and improve products that solve real-world problems.
Through our values of wisdom, compassion and courage, pupils learn to make thoughtful design choices, consider the needs of others and take risks through creativity and innovation. They develop wisdom by evaluating products and understanding how design shapes everyday life; compassion by creating products for users and considering the needs of different communities; and courage by testing ideas, overcoming challenges and refining their work.
Our curriculum has been carefully designed to ensure that both the local area of Gravesend and the heritage countries represented within our school community are embedded throughout pupils’ learning. From designing structures inspired by local buildings and bridges along the River Thames, to exploring Ancient Egyptian mechanisms, Roman food, West African cooking traditions and rainforest shelter design, pupils see how design and technology reflects culture, environment, history and human need. Through this approach, pupils recognise that innovation exists across all societies and that design can improve lives both locally and globally.
Implementation
Design and Technology is taught through a carefully sequenced curriculum that develops the knowledge, understanding and technical skills required to design, make and evaluate products. Pupils progressively build expertise in structures, mechanisms, textiles, food technology and engineering, applying their learning through purposeful design challenges.
Each unit follows the design process of investigating, designing, making and evaluating, ensuring pupils understand how products are developed and improved. Learning is closely aligned with wider curriculum themes, allowing pupils to make meaningful connections between Design and Technology, History and Geography. Local links are woven throughout the curriculum, including studies of Gravesend, the River Thames, local buildings, engineering and food distribution networks. Heritage links enable pupils to explore how different cultures solve problems, create products and use technology in everyday life.
As pupils move through the school, they develop increasing independence in researching, designing, constructing, testing and evaluating products. They learn to select appropriate materials, use tools safely and accurately, understand technical concepts and apply their knowledge to real-world contexts.
Impact
By the time pupils leave Rosherville, they are confident designers and makers who can apply their knowledge and skills to solve problems creatively and effectively. They understand how products are designed for a purpose, how technology influences daily life and how innovation has shaped societies throughout history.
Pupils can confidently design, make, test and evaluate products, using technical vocabulary and practical skills with increasing accuracy and independence. They understand how design responds to culture, geography, environment and human need, both locally and globally.
Pupils leave with resilience, creativity and the confidence to take ideas from concept to completion. They recognise the contributions of inventors, engineers, designers and communities from around the world and understand how thoughtful design can improve lives. Through Design and Technology, pupils are prepared to become innovative thinkers who can contribute positively to the future.
Design and Technology Progression
We develop our pupil’s Design and Technology understanding through essential skills; growing their depth of knowledge year after year.
Design and Technology in Each Stage
At Rosherville, Key stage 1 pupils will learn through a variety of creative and practical activities, working collaboratively and independently, and will develop the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to engage in the process of designing and making. They will have opportunities to work in a range of relevant contexts [for example, the home and school, gardens and playgrounds, the local community, industry and the wider environment]. When designing and making, pupils will be taught to:
- design purposeful, functional, appealing products for themselves and other users based on design criteria
- generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through talking, drawing, templates, mock-ups and, where appropriate, information and communication technology
- select from and use a range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks [for example, cutting, shaping, joining and finishing]
- select from and use a wide range of materials and components, including construction materials, textiles and ingredients, according to their characteristics
- explore and evaluate a range of existing products
- evaluate their ideas and products against design criteria Technical knowledge
- build structures, exploring how they can be made stronger, stiffer, and more stable
- explore and use mechanisms [for example, levers, sliders, wheels, and axles], in their products
At Key stage 2 pupils will continue to build on their prior learning and participate in a range of activities, helping them to develop their knowledge and understanding so that they can:
- use research and develop design criteria to inform the design of innovative, functional, appealing products that are fit for purpose, aimed at particular individuals or groups
- generate, develop, model, and communicate their ideas through discussion, annotated sketches, cross-sectional and exploded diagrams, prototypes, pattern pieces and computer-aided design
- select from and use a wider range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks [for example, cutting, shaping, joining and finishing], accurately
- select from and use a wider range of materials and components, including construction materials, textiles and ingredients, according to their functional properties and aesthetic qualities
- investigate and analyse a range of existing products
- evaluate their ideas and products against their own design criteria and consider the views of others to improve their work
- understand how key events and individuals in design and technology have helped shape the world Technical knowledge
- apply their understanding of how to strengthen, stiffen and reinforce more complex structures
- understand and use mechanical systems in their products [for example, gears, pulleys, cams, levers, and linkages]
- understand and use electrical systems in their products [for example, series circuits incorporating switches, bulbs, buzzers, and motors]
- apply their understanding of computing to program, monitor, and control their products
SEND Information
Our SEND and disadvantaged pupils are given the necessary support in class to fully access the supported DT curriculum. Learning is adapted where necessary to support SEND/EAL pupils to give equal opportunities for all to be confident in approaching any problems faced. Interventions, support and challenges are constantly revised and adapted to ensure all children are supported in achieving learning. The above areas are robustly and continuously monitored to ensure any gaps in learning are addressed.