Design & Technology
SJS Curriculum For Design & Technology
SJS DT Overview | Autumn | Spring | Summer | |
| Year 3 | Structures Shell Structures Packaging for an artefact | Food Healthy, varied diet Lunchbox | Textiles Joining fabrics Purse | |
| Year 4 | Mechanical Systems Leavers & linkages Pop-up book/poster | Food Heathy, varied diet Indian vegetable curry | Electrical Systems Simple circuit Night light | |
| Year 5 | Structures Frame structures Outdoor shelter for the playground | Food Salad for Mr Burt Celebrating world foods | Mechanical Systems Cam toys | |
| Year 6 | Textiles Combining fabric shapes Designing a bag | Electrical Pulleys or gears Buggies | Mechanical Mechanised buggies | Food Celebrating seasonality Smoothies |
What is DT?
"Technology makes possibilities. Design makes solutions."
John Maeda
Design and technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. Using creativity and imagination, pupils design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. They acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art. Pupils learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens. Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, they develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world. High-quality design and technology education makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of the nation. (NC 2014)
Aims
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.
What does it look like at SJS?
Design and Technology at Shakespeare Junior School encourages children to work with a range of materials to create designs with a specific purpose. It encourages children to become creative thinkers and problem solvers both independently and as part of a group. Modernised projects in our planning will allow pupils to access their learning whilst being tied in to their topic, helping children to become informed consumers and innovative. Through the study of Design and Technology, they combine practical skills with an understanding of aesthetic, social and environmental issues, as well as functions and industry. This allows them to reflect on and evaluate past and present technology, its uses and impacts.
The teaching of Design Technology across the school follows the National Curriculum. Children design products with a purpose in mind and an intended use of the products. Food technology is implemented across the school with children developing an understanding of where food comes from, the importance of a varied and healthy diet and how to prepare this.
Design and technology is a crucial part of school life and learning and it is for this reason that as a school we are dedicated to the teaching and delivery of a high quality Design and Technology curriculum; through well planned and resourced projects and experiences.
The subject also embeds our School values. It is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject, requiring innovation, perseverance, and an active imagination. Children learn to take risks, be reflective, innovative, enterprising and resilient. Through the evaluation of past and present technology they can reflect upon the impact of Design Technology on everyday life and the wider world.