Chandlers Road, St Albans, Herts, AL4 9RS
Design & Technology
Intent
At Skyswood Primary and Nursery School, Design and Technology (D&T) fosters creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork. Students design, make, investigate, and evaluate, developing critical thinking and making products which solve real and relevant problems. Through the study of Design and Technology, children combine their practical skills with an understanding of aesthetic, social and environmental issues, designing products with purpose and functionality. Food Technology teaches essential life skills, including cooking, nutrition, and food hygiene. Our Design Technology curriculum makes purposeful connections across other curriculum areas, with innovative projects that reflect a genuine relevance to real life contexts within our school and our wider community.
We take a few risks, we learn from our mistakes. It makes us smarter
(Zoe - Skyswood pupil)
Implementation
At Skyswood Primary and Nursery School our Design Technology curriculum is built around technical knowledge, understanding and key skills. Teachers plan a range of relevant practical activities to engage children and inspire them in the process of designing, making and evaluating. Children select from an appropriate range of tools and are taught how to use tools safely and effectively, recognising the importance of selecting the right tool for the right job. Pupils evaluate their learning against clearly defined success criteria, using technical knowledge and vocabulary.
When designing and making products our children use research effectively to inform their designs and generate, communicate, model and develop their ideas through discussion, annotated drawings and prototypes where appropriate. They build upon a progressive range of skills as they move up through the school, developing their competence and control with cutting, shaping, joining and finishing. Children apply their understanding of processes and skills to new learning and the subject links effectively to our Computing curriculum, seizing opportunities to shape or adapt design through the use of IT.
Our children are introduced to a wider range of tools, skills and opportunities for cookery as they progress into Key Stage 2, culminating with two innovative projects on Seasonal Foods and Savoury Dishes within the upper juniors.
I love working as part of a team and solving problems together
(Max - Skyswood pupil)
Impact
The impact of our Design Technology curriculum is evident when talking to children about the purpose and quality of their learning. Children develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks with confidence and recognise the relevance of Design and Technology in an ever-changing world. We measure the impact of our curriculum through summative assessments arising from discussions with pupils, evaluation of the skills that each child has used, the effectiveness of plans, process and product, and their ability to work both independently and within the context of a team. We believe that a high-quality Design Technology education helps to prepare our children for the future and makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of the nation.
I’ve enjoyed the food technology units and have been doing lots more cookery at home
(Daniel - Skyswood pupil)
Supporting Pupils with Special Educational Needs
In Design Technology, our expectations for children with SEND match our expectations for all children, although we are aware that some children may require additional support when using particular tools and processes. We ensure that our Design Technology curriculum is fully accessible to all children through:
- Additional support from the class teacher or teaching assistant where necessary.
- Working alongside a learning partner who can support them.
- Adapting a task to suit the needs of the individual.
- Recording their understanding in different ways; (eg through diagram, drawing, video and voice recording).
