DT | Westwood Primary School

Leadership of Design and Technology at Westwood Primary School.

Accountable: Miss Sophie Clark, Mrs Hannah Gee

Responsible: Miss Jemma Willeard, Miss Rebecca Spry

Curriculum Intent

At Westwood Primary School we value Art and Design and the opportunities that it provides for our children to be creative and to express themselves. This is a key part of the children’s entitlement to a broad and balanced curriculum. We have carefully designed and structured our art curriculum to ensure children develop the knowledge and skills needed to be successful designers.

Children will be given a range of experiences including; mechanisms, textiles, food technology, structures and electrical systems (in Key Stage 2) . The DT curriculum has been structured to support children to be able to think critically and develop a more rigorous understanding of art and design. As children progress through the school, the DT curriculum allows them to build upon prior knowledge and skills, giving them opportunities to apply them to a new context. In order to prepare them for their future DT teaching will also support the children to develop key learning behaviours: resilience, risk taking, resourcefulness, relationships and reflection.

Through hands on experiences we aim to create a love of DT in which children are inspired by famous artists and designers, having opportunities to develop techniques using a range of mediums and can talk about their work. At Westwood Primary school we aim for children to leave Year 6 with the knowledge, skills and a love of DT which will enable them to creative individuals as they grow.

National Curriculum

The National Curriculum for Design and Technology aims to ensure that all pupils:

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.

At Westwood Primary School the Design and Technology curriculum is delivered through both the Topic curriculum and discretely. Projects are linked to topics where possible.

Each year lessons cover both the ‘Cooking and Nutrition’ and ‘Processes’ aspects of the curriculum and pupils are taught to design, make and evaluate their products and increase in technical knowledge. For each project pupils are taught to consider the five Design and Technology principles:

User;
Purpose;
Innovation;
Authenticity;
Functionality and
Design Decision

The DT Pillars

DT Concept Map

Curriculum Implementation

At Westwood, Design Technology is a fundamental part of teaching and learning and is taught from EYFS to Year 6.

Children in the Early Years are encouraged to explore and use a range of media and materials whilst also developing their creativity, imagination and critical thinking. This the foundation on which learning is developed throughout the school.

We use a combination of schemes of work to support our planning and teaching of Design Technology in years 1-6. The DT Associations Projects on a Page and Plan Bee alongside the National Curriculum ensures a well-structured progression of DT knowledge and skills throughout the school.

Design Technology is taught on a half termly basis which alternates with Art. In addition to Design Technology lessons, children are also given the opportunity to develop and apply their Design Technology knowledge and skills during Woodland sessions.

Curriculum Impact

Our vision is for children to have a love of Design Technology and develop their creative, design and making skills. Pupil voice is an important part of our assessment allowing us to continually reflect upon our Design Technology curriculum and our offer of extra-curricular activities.

Formative assessment is used to move children’s learning forward in Design Technology and to inform next steps. Summative assessments take place on a termly basis and attainment is tracked against National Curriculum expectations. This allows us to inform and address any trends or gaps in attainment.

Children in the Early Years are assessed using EExAT monthly milestones for Expressive Art and Design.

During the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) pupils explore and use a variety of media and materials through a combination of child initiated and adult directed activities. They have opportunities to learn to:

Explore the textures, movement, feel and look of different media and materials;
Respond to a range of media and materials developing an understanding that they manipulate and create effects with these;
Use different media and materials to express their own ideas;
Construct with a purpose in mind using a variety of resources;
Develop skills to use simple tools and techniques competently and appropriately;
Select appropriate resources for a product and adapt their work where necessary.

Design Technology Long Term Plan

DT Long Term Plan (1).docx

DT Curriculum Knowledge, Skills and Technical Vocabulary

DT Skills, Knowledge and Technical vocabulary.docx

Design Technology Medium Term Plans

DT Asessment

Design Technology at Home

Design Technology can be found all around you. Look at food, mechanisms, structures and textiles.

Activities at home…

Junk modelling – create a model of an NHS emergency vehicle using recyclable materials.
Help an adult with some DIY around the house.
What materials were used to build your house? Can you design and make your house using different materials?
Design and make a bird house.
Make a card for a friend or family member including a lever.
Have a go at some of these delicious recipes!

Recipe - https://realfood.tesco.com/recipes/fruity-frozen-yogurt-bites.html

https://realfood.tesco.com/recipes/dinosaur-biscuits.html

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/rainbow-pizzas

https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/easy-banana-pancakes