".For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together." Colossians 1:16-17
Design Technology Vision Statement
Design and Technology at Our Lady of Lourdes is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. It encourages children to learn, think and intervene creatively to solve problems both as individuals and as members of a team. We encourage children to use their creativity and imagination, 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 are dedicated to the teaching and delivery of a high quality Design and Technology curriculum; through well planned and resourced projects and experiences. We aim to, wherever possible, link learning to other disciplines such as Mathematics, English, Science, Computing and Art. The children are also given opportunities to reflect upon and evaluate past and present design technology, its uses and its effectiveness, and are encouraged to become innovators and risk-takers.
At Our Lady of Lourdes we want to allow children to aspire to be more through creating opportunities for them in the wider world. Through learning about the roles and functions of DT in society children can explore the impact it has had on contemporary life and on different periods and cultures. Through our DT curriculum, we intend that children should be inspired by engineers, designers, chefs and architects to enable them to create a range of structures, mechanisms, textiles, electrical systems and food products with a real life purpose. We intend that when leaving in Year 6 all children leave with the aspirations to share their unique DT talents with the world.
Design Technology Intent Statement
The national curriculum for art and design aims to ensure that all pupils:
- produce creative work, exploring their ideas and recording their experiences
- become proficient in drawing, painting, sculpture and other art, craft and design techniques
- evaluate and analyse creative works using the language of art, craft and design
- know about great artists, craft makers and designers, and understand the historical and cultural development of their art forms.
Implementation of the Design Technology Curriculum
The curriculum is led and overseen by the Design Technology subject lead. A regular programme of monitoring, evaluation and review and the celebration of good practice will contribute to the ongoing commitment to evolve and improve further.
The teaching, learning and sequencing of the Design Technology curriculum is implemented through:
- A blocked curriculum approach to ensure coverage and progression in all skills relating to Design Technology, including: the development of creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to perform confidently in an increasingly technological world; the acquisition and application of a repertoire of knowledge, understanding and skills needed to make high quality prototypes and products; the ability to critique, evaluate and test ideas and products and the understanding and application of the principles of nutrition and cooking.
- Clear learning objectives from which to plan, teach and assess knowledge.
- Use of the Design and Technology Association ‘Projects on a Page’ documents to support medium term planning
- Teachers in the Early Years plan the teaching of Art using the Expressive Arts objectives in Development Matters alongside the progression of skills document, planning learning based around the children's next steps and current interests.
- The use of our whole school Design Technology key vocabulary document to ensure consistency and accuracy in the language used when teaching Design Technology.
- Creating products with a real purpose.
- Encouraging critical thinking about Design Technology and the impact that Design has on the world.
- The opportunity to display and share the products the children create, showcasing the skills they have developed and progress they have made.
- Encouragement and development of a ‘can do’ attitude, therefore giving children the confidence to ‘have a go’ and share their talents.
Enter text...
Design and Technology – Impact Statement
At Our Lady of Lourdes, our Design and Technology curriculum inspires pupils to become creative thinkers, problem solvers and innovators. Through practical, hands-on experiences, children develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to design, make and evaluate products that solve real and relevant problems. They learn to take risks, work collaboratively and draw upon learning from a range of subjects, including science, mathematics, computing and art.
The impact of our Design and Technology curriculum is evident in pupils’ ability to apply their knowledge and skills creatively and purposefully. Through designing, making and evaluating products, children develop resilience, independence and confidence while learning how design and technology influence everyday life and the wider world.
Through their learning in Design and Technology, pupils:
- Develop creative thinking and practical problem-solving skills.
- Apply knowledge from other curriculum areas to real-life design challenges.
- Design and make high-quality products for a specific purpose and audience.
- Develop technical knowledge and practical skills using a range of tools, materials and equipment safely.
- Evaluate and improve their ideas and products, reflecting on what works well and what could be developed further.
- Understand the iterative design process and the importance of learning from mistakes.
- Gain knowledge of significant designers, engineers, inventors and technological developments.
- Develop confidence, resilience and independence when tackling design challenges.
- Understand the role of design and technology in shaping the modern world.
We evaluate the impact of our Design and Technology curriculum through:
- Ongoing teacher assessment and feedback throughout the design process.
- The quality of pupils’ design work, planning and finished products.
- Evidence of progression in technical knowledge and practical skills.
- Pupil discussions demonstrating understanding of designing, making and evaluating.
- Subject leader monitoring, including lesson visits, work scrutiny and pupil voice.
- Assessment of pupils’ ability to apply prior learning to new challenges.
- Pupils’ engagement, enthusiasm and confidence in practical learning experiences.
As pupils move through our school, they become increasingly confident designers and makers who can think critically, solve problems creatively and evaluate their work effectively. They leave primary school with a strong foundation in Design and Technology, an understanding of how innovation shapes the world around them, and the skills and confidence needed for future learning and everyday life.