Goring CE Primary: Curriculum Intent: DT
At Goring CE Primary, we will provide children with an ambitious design and technology curriculum which is relevant in our rapidly changing society. We will encourage our children to become autonomous and creative problem solvers who can work creatively on shared or individual projects in response to a design brief.
Progression is planned throughout the school to help children build on prior knowledge, and gain a broad range of skills.
Evaluation is an integral part of the design process; children are taught to evaluate existing products prior to designing their own. Children are taught to reflect on their final outcome and helped to discuss possible improvements which could been made.
Through reflection and evaluation of past and present design and technology, pupils will begin to develop a critical understanding of its uses, effectiveness and impact on daily life and the wider world. Our whole curriculum is shaped by our school vision which aims to enable all children, regardless of background, ability, additional needs, to flourish to become the very best version of themselves they can possibly be.
Curriculum Implementation
At Goring CE Primary School, design technology is taught using the ‘Evaluate, Design, Create, Evaluate’ cycle. Each stage is rooted within technical knowledge, whether this relates to physical mechanisms, cooking methods or the merits and drawbacks of working with particular tools, materials and equipment. All projects are built to address a design brief which have a specific ‘end goal’ in mind. Although certain skills are taught within each project, children are encouraged to not only incorporate their ideas but to use a certain amount of trial and error to maximise the learning opportunities. Children are offered technical explanations and demonstrations, along with subject- specific vocabulary to enable them to express their thoughts and ideas. Time is taken to ensure that children are made aware of the potential risks of working with different tools and materials. They are then supported to manage these risks in order to create products in a safe and hygienic way. Environmental impact is considered in the design process and children are encouraged to make careful choices about the materials they use.
Within Key stage 2, the children are introduced to the ACCESS FM model of evaluation: Aesthetics, Cost, Customer, Environment, Size, Safety, Function, Material. By Year 6, all aspects of the evaluation are used.
Early Years Foundation Stage
During the EYFS pupils explore and use a variety of media and materials through a combination of child initiated and adult directed activities.