Design & Technology
The documents below outline Grove Road’s approach to teaching Design and Technology which is underpinned by the National Curriculum.
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.
(National Curriculum 2014)
Intent Statement
Our Design and Technology Curriculum aims to inspire and encourage children to learn to use their creativity and imagination. We encourage children to design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. We believe that high quality, ambitious D&T lessons, will encourage children to think independently and develop creative and technical understanding. We aim to provide a broad and balanced D&T curriculum which provides children with opportunities to research, investigate, develop their ideas, make a product and evaluate their work, building on skills developed in previous years. We aim for all children to leave Grove road to become innovators and risk-takers to prepare them for opportunities and experiences in later life.
Intended Impact
The impact of using the full range of resources, including display materials, will be seen across the school with an increase in the profile of Design and Technology. The learning environment across the school will be more consistent with design and technology technical vocabulary displayed, spoken and used by all learners. Whole-school and parental engagement will be improved through the use of design and technology-specific home learning tasks and opportunities suggested in lessons and overviews for wider learning. We want to ensure that Design and Technology is loved by teachers and pupils across school, therefore encouraging them to want to continue building on this wealth of skills and understanding, now and in the future. Impact can also be measured through key questioning skills built into lessons, child-led assessment such as success criteria grids, and summative assessments aimed at targeting next steps in learning.
Pupil Views
"I particularly enjoyed the design process and seeing my ideas come to life” - Year 6 child
"I enjoy DT because we get to make things and choose our own ideas" - Charlotte, Year 4
"I like DT because we get to make interesting things" - Henry, Year 4
"I like DT because you can be creative" - Zuzia, Year 4
"DT is fun!" - Emily, Year 4
"DT is Design and Technology and it is when you make and learn how to do something” - Charlie, Year 2
"In DT before you make something, you need to plan it so it works!” - James, Year 2
"I like making moving things in DT so then I can play with what I have made” - Charlie, Year 2
"I like DT because I like being creative!” - Penelope, Year 2
"In Y1 we learned did some DT and made food, like making a jelly boat and some jam pinwheel boats” - Charlie, Year 2
