Design Technology

Curriculum Team Leaders

Mrs S Felles
Mrs K Lloyd (Food Technology)

Link Governor

Mrs I Gilhooley

At Peters Hill, our DT curriculum strives towards the following aims:

To give a range of DT opportunities to support children's belief that theycan be designers and engineers.

To develop guided research skills and knowledge about specific materials, features and design of the product to be made.

To practice research to produce a prototype of a product to be created.

To develop skills of evaluation before producing final design/product.

To create final products using evaluations to inform production.

To use discussion to introduce technical vocabulary at appropriate stages throughout the design and production process.

We believe that in DT, all children should:

Understand the role of design and designers.

To build and apply a repertoire of knowledge, understanding and skills to design and make prototypes and products.

To develop creative, technical and practical expertise to participate successfully in the technological world.

To understand and apply the principles of nutrition and learn how to cook.

To develop subject specific technical vocabulary and opportunities to evaluate and reflect upon design.

To think critically and present their views and ideas.

Children become proficient designers through building knowledge and skills across the specific pathways of;

Pathway 1- Developing, planning and communicating ideas.
Pathway 2- Working with tools, equipment, materials and components to make quality products.
Pathway 3- Technical knowledge.
Pathway 4- Evaluating processes and products.
Pathway 5- Food.
Pathway 6 – Mechanisms.
Pathway 7 – Textiles.
Pathway 8 – Structures.
Pathway 9 – Electrical Systems.

Curriculum Drivers - How do our whole school values link to the subject?

AMBITION (Success) – Where appropriate, examples to be shown of the product to be created to allow a firm grasp of the aim and outcomes of the task set. Apply discussion about previous learning to establish prior knowledge in order for this to then be applied to the current task. Identify the skills needed to engage in the creative process with an effective and logical approach. This should ensure the final product created is of a high standard, follows the design brief and is fit for purpose.

BELIEF (Confidence)– All children will have regular opportunities to evaluate their learning and the product they are creating to enable them to assess their learning/ skills over time. By using constant evaluation of the process build into this the belief that we can feel positive and proud about what we create, this should instil self-confidence that we can then carry through to all areas of the curriculum.

COMPASSION (Motivation) – Children will be encouraged to relate where appropriate to the world around them and to draw inspiration from what they see, this will in turn support the use of each child’s observational skills. Consideration should be given to how objects we see daily work and are constructed fostering awe and wonder in each individual child. The notion that the world and its contents should not be taken for granted; Everything starts with a thought. Children will be motivated by their creations and the hands-on approach Design Technology offers to learning.

PRIDE (Knowledge)– Opportunities must be given to allow children to assess and evaluate each other’s work at regular stages in Design Technology lessons. Encourage positive comments but also fair and sensitively honest ones about how a product can be improved. Constructive criticism must be used and accepted in order to make what we do better, on the quest to strive for perfection. This will support the sense of pride that is felt when we have worked to the best of our ability.

RESPECT (Responsibility) – Children need to develop an awareness of all aspects of the world around them from the natural to the man made. Understand the concept that for something to be created it begins with a thought and then becomes part of a creative process to bring into being. It is this process we can all become part of by creating our own designs and products.

Cooking Skills Videos

Using a swivel peeler

Please see the documents below outlining our whole school overview for DT.