Intent

At Thorpe Church of England Primary School we believe that Design and Technology should inspire imagination and creativity. Pupils are encouraged to consider real-life problems; designing, making and evaluating products for specific users. We aim to teach children to take risks in a safe environment and be reflective so that they are able to become critical problem solvers. Through the study of past and present technology, children will learn the impact of the designs on our daily lives and how it fits into the wider world.

In EYFS, in the specific area of Expressive Arts and Design and Physical Development (Fine Motor Skills) children will develop skills of cutting, mark making, pencil control and gain competency in the use of tools such as knives, forks and scissors. Children will create collaboratively, sharing ideas, resources and skills.

Implementation

The National Curriculum outlines three main stages of the design process; design, make and evaluate. These three stages are embedded into the Design Technology units taught across the school. Even in our Reception Class, there is constant access to a variety of materials to build and create. Throughout their time at Thorpe pupils learn a variety of skills and get to participate in engaging projects. Our Design Technology Curriculum is created in a way to ensure a progression of skills across each year group, with pupils building on their prior learning and their technical knowledge.

Impact

Throughout the school our Design Technology is taught in a cross-curricular way, this allow the skills they are learning in DT to support the development of other subjects. For example, the children in Year 6 make and program a torch to signal an air raid, which links to their learning in History about World War II.

The DT curriculum is also designed to ensure that children will leave Thorpe with skills that can be applied to everyday life as they grow older; accessing and controlling technology, creating healthy meals, stitching on buttons etc.