Warwick Road Primary School

Design Technology

At Warwick Road, all children are encouraged to develop their design and making skills through practical tasks. They are given the opportunity to use a wide variety of materials and to manipulate tools safely. Children are encouraged to design and plan their work through drawing and discussion and evaluate their models when they are complete. To develop their knowledge, skills and understanding, children also investigate a wide range of products, leading to evaluation of their own designs and finished products. Children's work will show:

• Significant levels of originality and the willingness to take creative risks to produce innovative ideas and prototypes.

• The ability to use time efficiently and work constructively and productively with others.

• The ability to carry out thorough research, show initiative and ask questions to develop an exceptionally detailed knowledge of users’ needs.

• The ability to act as responsible designers and makers, working ethically, using finite materials carefully and working safely.

• A thorough knowledge of which tools, equipment and materials to use to make their products.

• The ability to manage risks exceptionally well to manufacture products safely and hygienically.

• A passion for the subject and knowledge of, up-to-date technological innovations in materials, products and systems.

What makes a successful designer?

• Understanding users - Successful designers understand who their product is for and their needs, and how the product will be used
• Designing - Designers must take risks to create imaginative ideas, and clearly communicate design ideas to others
• Learning about materials - This includes traditional, smart and modern materials. Designers must also select the best material for making designs come to life
• Analysing products - Successful designers understand how everyday products have been designed and made, and learn about the work of past and present designers
• Learning how things work - Design is a process which can take time. To be successful, they must try different methods before discovering which is most suitable for your product
• Evaluating your own work and others' - Evaluating their opinions about products will inform the development of improved design and technology. 

How and what we learn at Warwick Road

Desing and technology is planned into our long term curriculum map. Topics are specified for each year group to follow that are progressive in terms of skill building and achievement. The monitored long-term curriculum map and the medium term planning sheets provide the continuity between classes, teachers and key stages. It is expected that as children become more confident with tools and techniques, the activities asked of them will become more complex and demanding.

A range of organisational strategies will be employed to ensure that children are engaged in all aspects of D & T assignments.  These will include whole class, smaller groups and individual groupings. Most activities will be undertaken in the classroom setting, although when the need arises, the hall /outdoor areas can be used for the large construction kits, to develop and test products.  Additional adult supervision may be required during these times although the class teacher is responsible at all times.

EYFS:

DT is not taught explicitly within the EYFS. Instead, DT is embedded throughout the curriculum. Children are regularly given the opportunity to explore elements of DT throughout their curriculum and within provision, designing buildings and toys, building models and towers, deciding which tools are appropriate for different activities, and designing and baking a variety of different foods.

During reception and KS1, children will encounter tasks that draw on their direct experiences.  These will involve disassembling products and using simple mechanisms and fixing techniques.

Throughout KS2, work will be more challenging as the children have opportunities to develop their skills and knowledge.  Their products will be more complex, use a wider range of materials, have variety of moving parts and mechanisms pay more attention to detail and will work with electrical components.

Units of work will always include the three types of activity:

• Investigative disassembly and evaluation activities (IDEAs).
• Focused practical tasks (FPTs).
• Design and making assignments (DMAs)

Focused tasks will be used to teach the skills, knowledge and correct use of tools and equipment.

Curriculum Long Term Plan (LTP)

Curriculum Progression

Below you can see documents detailing the progression of skills from the Early Years Foundation Stage through to year 6.

Enhanced Curriculum

At Warwick Road, we aim to make the DT curriculum as engaging and exciting as possible. We want all children to gain knowledge and real world experience in the subject. DT provides children with vital life skills, such as reading recipes and making a variety of food and drink items.

We are dedicated to creating a love of DT both inside and outside of the classroom, and feel that extra curricular activities provide the opportunity for this. Some extra curricular activities that children have taken or will take part in, include:

KS1 DT After School Club - Children designed and made their own unique hedgehogs out of clay

Whole School Assembly - Our DT subject ambassadors shared their love of DT with the whole school, explaining what they love about DT and what career they would like to pursue within DT when they are older. (See images below)

Eid Card Design - More information to follow!

Baking competition - More information to follow!

We also have a partnership with Ms L Curtis, Director and company secretary of Heaton Green Dust Control LTD. 

Knowledge Organisers

Below are some of the many exciting knowledge organisers for DT topics being taught across school.

Parent Support

Our aim is for our children is to develop a love of DT, both inside and outside of the classroom. Below are some resources that can be used at home to support your child's learning:

• https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/subjects/zmyvcxs
• https://www.stem.org.uk/primary/resources/collections/design-technology 
• https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/kids-cooking-recipes 
• https://www.theschoolrun.com/5-home-design-and-technology-projects-primary-children
• https://www.playlikemum.com/20-genius-junk-modelling-ideas-for-kids-to-try/ 

DT Policy

DT Leadership

The DT subject leader at Warwick Road is Miss N Jones

The link governor is Mrs C Taylor