Intent

In keeping with the ethos of Coppull Parish Primary School, we believe that every child within our school should have full access to Design and Technology as laid down in the National Curriculum regardless of age, gender or ability. We seek to ensure that our teaching reflects the current guidance to schools, which emphasises the particular importance of designing, making and evaluating. We encourage the children to be creative, imaginative and resilient in all aspects of their learning, especially in DT, and for them to gain the skills necessary to support them outside of school life.

Aims:

• To present Design and Technology in a fun, interesting way, which encourages children to use their imagination and initiative.

• To develop our pupils' practical and thinking skills, enabling them to offer possible solutions to practical problems.

• To develop pupils' abilities to engage with, and critically appreciate a range of designed outcomes made by themselves, their peers and adult designers.

• To develop pupil’s ability to select appropriate materials, tools and components and use these with due regard to safety.

• To enable pupils to apply skills, knowledge and understanding from the programmes of study of other subjects, where appropriate.

• To deliver exciting and active lessons where independent learning is facilitated.

Implementation

Design and Technology is a crucial part of school life and learning, as a school we are dedicated to the teaching and delivery of a high-quality Design and Technology curriculum.

This is implemented through:  

• A well thought out, whole school, yearly overview of the DT curriculum which allows for progression across year groups in all areas of DT (textiles, mechanisms, structures, food and electrical systems).
• Well planned and resourced projects providing children with a hands-on and enriching experience.
• A range of skills being taught ensuring that children are aware of health and safety issues related to the tasks undertaken.
• Teachers being given ownership and flexibility to plan for Design and Technology; often teaching DT as a block of lessons to allow the time needed for the children to be critical, inventive and reflective on their work.
• Each project from Year 1 to Year 6 addressing the principles of designing, making, and evaluating and incorporating relevant technical knowledge and understanding in relevant contexts.

As a school, we promote Design and Technology in the wider school through a weekly gardening club, and special visitors who demonstrate and allow children to take part in being creative designers, problem solvers and have time to reflect on what they have achieved. 

EYFS

Throughout the Foundation Stage, the children are constantly provided with the opportunities to design, make and evaluate different products through continuous provision. The teachers within Early Years provide the children with plenty of chances to express themselves through their own designs. They learn from an early age that it is encouraged for their work to be unique and that it doesn’t all have to look the same. Each half term Reception class experience at least one cooking experience! 

Impact

The impact of the Design and Technology curriculum at Coppull Parish Primary School is that pupils develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to design, make and evaluate purposeful products. Pupils show clear progression in their technical understanding across structures, mechanisms, textiles, food and electrical systems, using tools and materials safely and appropriately. They apply problem-solving skills creatively, demonstrating resilience, independence and pride in their work. Pupils can discuss their learning using accurate vocabulary and make thoughtful evaluations to improve their designs. As a result, pupils are well prepared for the next stage of their education and can apply Design and Technology skills confidently in real-life contexts.