DT Curriculum Rationale
An inspiring, rigorous and practical subject, Design and Technology encourages children to learn to think and intervene creatively to solve problems both as individuals and collaboratively. Our scheme of work aims to inspire pupils to be innovative and creative thinkers who have an appreciation for the product design cycle through ideation, creation and evaluation. We want pupils to develop the confidence to take risks, through drafting design concepts, modelling and testing and to be reflective learners who evaluate their work and the work of others.
Through our scheme of work we aim to build an awareness of the impact of design and technology on our lives and encourage pupils to become resourceful, enterprising citizens who will have the skills to contribute to the ever changing world. We aim to, wherever possible, link work to other disciplines such as mathematics, science, computing and art. Key substantive and disciplinary knowledge for DT has been mapped across the school from Year 1 to Year 6 to ensure progression between year groups.
Knowledge in Design Technology:
Substantive knowledge concerns the key facts, concepts, principles and explanatory frameworks in a subject. Disciplinary knowledge is needed in order to think, process and develop understanding with the subject.
Substantive knowledge in design technology is based on the knowledge of four key elements of the process of design: design, make, evaluate and technical knowledge. All of these elements are taught in all year groups.
Design | Know how to design a product that is purposeful, functional and appealing to a specific group.
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Make | Know how to safely and carefully cut, join and finish a range of materials, ranging from paper to wood.
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Evaluate | Know how to investigate, evaluate and analyse a range of products and their own designs based on specific criteria. |
Technical knowledge | Know how to apply their knowledge of materials to meet the criteria above in the design, make and evaluate stages. Use technical vocabulary with confidence and accuracy. |
Disciplinary knowledge in design and technology is the process of enabling children to use their substantive knowledge of products and materials around them to make links between and across different areas of the curriculum. Knowledge in design and technology will equip the children with the opportunity to explain how and why products have changed over time and how they might be further improved in the future. They can use their knowledge and understanding to suggest how existing products may be improved with the advances in modern technology. They will show they have the cultural capital to become global citizens in an ever-changing and technologically advancing world.