Intent

At St Mary’s, we aim to give children engaging opportunities to develop a broad range of skills, knowledge and understanding in a wide variety of activities. Our children will design, make and evaluate products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts. Our Design and Technology curriculum aims to enable our child to be resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable members of the community.

Implementation

The teaching of Design Technology ensures our children develop a range of skills and create high quality outcomes. Children design products with a purpose and an intended user in mind. They are taught key knowledge and skills within a spiralling curriculum which focuses on textiles, mechanisms, structures, electrical systems and food. 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 taught as part of an integrated curriculum and care is taken to ensure that, where appropriate, strong cross–curricular links are made.

Impact

When children leave St Mary’s, their learning in design and technology will have enabled them to become confident at designing, making and evaluating products with a specific purpose and user in mind. They will have good knowledge and skills of working with textiles, mechanisms, structures, electrical systems and food. Children will have a secure understanding of how other subjects e.g. science, maths and computing link with design and technology and will be able to apply this knowledge and understanding when designing, making and evaluating products.

Curriculum Drivers

Environmental Stewardship

Our design and technology curriculum can promote environmental stewardship by encouraging children to use sustainable materials and eco-friendly practices in their projects. This hands-on approach helps young learners understand the impact of their choices on the environment and instils a sense of responsibility for preserving natural resources.

Global Mindset, Diversity and Inclusion

At our school, design and technology lessons cultivate a global mindset and embrace diversity and inclusion by integrating projects that explore different cultures and experiences. Through collaborative work, children learn to appreciate different perspectives and develop innovative solutions, fostering an inclusive environment that values and respects the diverse backgrounds of all learners.

Play-Based Learning

All of our design and technology units incorporate a play-based learning approach allowing children to explore concepts through hands-on, imaginative activities. This approach not only makes learning enjoyable but also enhances creativity and problem-solving skills, as children experiment and build with various materials in a playful, engaging environment.

Belonging

At St Mary’s, design and technology lessons foster a sense of belonging by enhancing student engagement and creativity. By incorporating collaborative projects and inclusive activities, these lessons create an environment where every child feels valued and part of the learning community, thereby reinforcing their connection to the school and each other.

Inspiration and Aspiration

Our design and technology lessons spark inspiration and nurture aspiration by exposing children to innovative ideas and role models in the field. By engaging in creative projects and seeing their designs come to life, children are encouraged to dream big and develop a passion for pursuing careers in technology and engineering.

Spiritual Development

At St Mary’s, we support spiritual development by encouraging children to reflect on the ethical and moral implications of some of their creations. Through thoughtful design processes and collaborative projects, children learn to appreciate the deeper values of creativity, responsibility, and the impact of their work on the community and the world.

Communication and Storytelling

Our design and technology curriculum enhances communication and storytelling skills by encouraging children to explain their design processes and present their projects. Through these activities, children learn to articulate their ideas clearly, narrate the journey of their creations, and convey the purpose and functionality of their designs effectively.