Scroll down to find the Curriculum Maps for Design & Technology 

Intent (Why we learn DT)

At St Saviour’s School we intend to deliver a design technology curriculum which is inspiring, rigorous, and practical. We want our children to use 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 intend for all children to acquire appropriate subject knowledge, skills and understanding as set out in the National Curriculum.

• To be enthusiastic, inquisitive, lifelong learners:  we aim to give our children the opportunities, skills, and experiences they need to be successful in later life, drawing on disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art.

• To be strong communicators:  we provide real and relevant problem solving and design opportunities that will require children to discuss, explain, share and evaluate ideas to reach an end goal, children will be encouraged to communicate their thinking and opinions to help them work through the design, make and evaluation process including technical vocabulary within their reasoning and explanations.

• To be well-rounded, independent and resilient learners with aspirations: we provide the opportunities for children to take risks, whilst fostering a strong growth mind-set so that children learn from and build on any challenges faced, solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, be innovative and entrepreneurial

• To develop and use their God given talents by being creative: through a variety of creative and practical activities, we aim to provide children with the skills, freedom and opportunity to fully express their creativity and imagination within the design technology process.

• To be responsible citizens who are eager to make a positive contribution to their community and wider society: children will work in a range of relevant contexts including within their school and community to fully engage in an interactive process of designing and making, children will consider the needs of their community and other people around them when designing and making products, we aim for children to gaining a strong understanding of how key events in design technology have helped shape the world

Children have the opportunity to develop their reading skills within design technology through design research activities, learning about key designers and events, reading annotations and labels and through the planning and evaluation processes.

Implementation (How we teach DT)

Design and Technology is a crucial part of school life and learning and it is for this reason that as a school we are dedicated to the teaching and delivery of a high-quality Design and Technology curriculum. The way we teach at St Saviour’s is based on high expectations for all. We have a belief in teaching for depth and mastery so that our children are supported to reach at least age-related expectations in all areas. We follow the Oak National Academy Scheme, which ensures that in-depth progressive steps are taught over time to enable pupils to meet the end of Key Stage Attainment Targets of the National 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), building on prior learning and preparing for future learning, use of knowledge organisers to ensure consistency

• Well planned and resourced projects providing children with a hands-on and enriching experiences

• SEN children are identified and supported through ‘Quality First’ teaching using differentiation of resources and tasks where necessary and appropriate scaffolds and support is given

• A range of skills being taught ensuring that children are aware of health and safety issues related to the tasks undertaken

• The design and technology subject leader will regularly monitor teaching and learning, individual sketchbooks and listen and respond to pupil and staff voice, the subject lead receives up to date training so they have a clear understanding of their role and responsibility in curriculum design and delivery

• Progress is measured through Assessment for Learning and termly summative assessments  

• 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

At St Saviour’s, we promote Design and Technology through seasonal gardening sessions in EYFS and across the school. Where the children learn about where our food comes from by growing their own vegetables, and the importance of a balanced, healthy and varied diet and how to prepare this. We have a growing garden plot at school and each year group has the opportunity to grow their own vegetable patch. Children also have the opportunity to attend an after-school garden club, where they work together to grow a variety of plants and vegetables.

Early Years Foundation Stage

During the EYFS pupils explore and use a variety of media and materials through a combination of child initiated and adult directed activities. They have the opportunities to learn to:

• Use different media and materials to express their own ideas

• Use what they have learnt about media and materials in original ways, thinking about form, function and purpose

• Make plans and construct with a purpose in mind using a variety of resources

• Develop skills to use simple tools and techniques appropriately, effectively and safely

• Select appropriate resources for a product and adapt their work where necessary

• Cook and prepare food adhering to good health and hygiene routines

Our design and technology curriculum provides children with engaging experiences and thought provoking and challenging experiences from which they can learn and develop a range of transferable skills.

Impact (As a result…)

The impact of our design and technology curriculum can be seen in the pupil’s books and finished projects; as well as in pupil data and through pupil voice. Everything we do has the child at the centre, and strong relationships are built between pupils and staff, which creates an atmosphere for learning which is conducive to success.

Progress is measured through Assessment for Learning; this informs planning for future lessons and identifies where further individual or group support is needed, termly summative assessments are recorded using the Sonar software package to track pupils’ progress and attainment. Learning tasks are planned to address misconceptions/ gaps in learning.

Pupils not only leave St Saviour’s with a secure understanding of the design and technology curriculum; but also with an understanding of how to listen, solve problems and communicate their ideas and thoughts to others. Children are supported to develop their confidence, resilience and independent learning skills which enables them to make positive contributions to our community throughout their future learning journey.