Intent

Our Design and Technology curriculum prepares children to take part in the development of tomorrow’s rapidly changing world. Therefore, we want the children at Bishop Ridley C of E Primary School to develop their imagination, their critical thinking and their understanding of the world around them through their love of Design and Technology. We aim for our children to question and think innovatively about the world around them in order to design and develop their own products with a purpose in mind.

It is our intent that Design and Technology is taught in all year groups, in either discreet or cross-curricular projects. Children build and apply the knowledge and skills needed to design high-quality products, which they will test and refine. They are given the opportunity to understand the importance of nutrition and learn how to cook and use equipment safely. Our Design and Technology curriculum requires children to draw on skills within Mathematics, Art, Science and Computing. 

By the time children reach Year 6, they would have had experience of food technology, textiles, design and construction. As they progress throughout the school, they should be confidently performing everyday tasks and applying their knowledge, understanding and an increased level of skills. They will be on the way to becoming risk takers and innovators and will have used a range of tools, resources and materials.

Implementation

At Bishop Ridley, we use the Cornerstones 22 model to support out Design and Technology curriculum. Pupils will be taught at least 3 projects per year, with a Cooking and Nutrition focus being covered in each year group. 

The children are taught to combine their designing and making skills with knowledge and understanding in order to design and make a product. Skills are taught progressively to ensure that all children are able to learn and practise in order to develop as they move through the school.

Evaluation is an integral part of the design process and allows children to adapt and improve their product, this is a key skill which they need throughout their life.

Opportunities for evaluation throughout the topic enables children to look deeper into their learning and reflect on what they have designed and made and whether it has successfully met their own design criteria. 

Impact

The children at Bishop Ridley C of E Primary School will have clear enjoyment and confidence in Design and Technology that they will then apply to other areas of the curriculum.

Through carefully planned and implemented learning activities, the pupils develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world. They gain a firm foundation of knowledge and skills to see them equipped to take on further learning in Secondary School.

Assessment is carried out through a range of formative assessments which includes: pupil assessment, book scrutinies and pupil practical tasks. Assessment then informs planning, identifying any gaps in knowledge or skills, ensuring that our children have every opportunity to develop as inquisitive designers and technologists.