Design and Technology prepares children for the rapidly changing world.

Curriculum Intent: 

Our intent at Tansley Primary School is to provide a rich Design and Technology curriculum across all year groups. We aim to teach a unit of Design and Technology in all year groups at least once per year, making sure that skills are developed through the years. These units focus on: food technology and nutrition, mechanisms, structures, textiles and electricity (KS2). Wherever possible, cross curricular links are made to ensure children get the most out of their learning experiences.

We aim to develop children's curiosity and creativity, technical and practical expertise so that they can perform everyday tasks confidently. It is important that children are given opportunities to build and apply a repertoire of knowledge, understanding and skills so they can create high-quality prototypes and products. We hope that when children leave us they are equipped to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world. 

Curriculum Implementation: 

Design and Technology is a crucial part of school life and learning. We are dedicated to the teaching and delivery of an exciting Design and Technology curriculum where children may experience things for the very first time. At Tansley, we have an annual STEM and Entrepreneurial week where we celebrate the products children make and share them with the local and wider community where possible. Design Technology allows opportunities for children to learn practically and apply their imagination and creativity in a purposeful way.  Children learn to take risks, challenge themselves and discover how to become reflective, resilient learners whilst learning the impact on everyday life and the wider world.

Part of implementing an effective Design and Technology curriculum is encouraging children to work collaboratively with others. Co-operation is essential. Collaborative work in Design and Technology develops mutual respect for the differing opinions, abilities and beliefs of others. It also helps children to respect their environment and the health and safety of themselves and others. They learn to appreciate that their ideas and opinions may differ to others and also learn to show tolerance. Children are encouraged to work in a democratic way by being considerate and listening to others; sometimes accepting the ideas of others may be more suitable than their own to create the most effective product. 

Design and Technology is implemented in different units across the academic year:

• Food
• Structures
• Textiles
• Mechanisms
• Electricity in UKS2

From Early Years to the end of Key Stage 2, we aim to provide a progressive scheme of work where children will acquire new skills each year built upon those previously taught. 

Curriculum Impact: 

We ensure the children:
• develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world.
• build and apply a repertoire of knowledge, understanding and skills in order to design and make interesting prototypes and products for a wide range of users and critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products and the work of others.
• understand and apply the principles of nutrition and learn how to cook. Children will design and make a range of products. A good quality finish will be expected in all design and activities made appropriate to the age and ability of the child.

Children are encouraged and guided into becoming independent, creative problem solvers and learn how to develop collaborative and independent thinking skills. In all year groups, children are given chances to respond to needs and opportunities by developing their own ideas and products. Design and Technology is all about the combination of practical skills alongside developing an understanding of aesthetic, social and environmental issues.