Subject leader: Mrs Grey
Our Curriculum Drivers
Intent
At St Mary’s, Design and Technology is an exciting subject using the children’s imagination to design and create products that solve real and relevant problems. The design element encourages children to become creative thinkers and innovators. The technology aspect links learning and develops transferrable skills from science, mathematics, computing and art knowledge to a project. Design and Technology develops pupils’ skills and knowledge in design, structures, mechanisms, electrical control, textiles and nutrition using a range of materials.
As part of their work with food, pupils are taught how to cook and apply the principles of nutrition and healthy eating. Instilling a love of cooking in pupils will also open a door to one of the great expressions of human creativity. Learning how to cook is a crucial life skill that enables pupils to feed themselves and others affordably and well, now and in later life.
Implementation
We teach Design and Technology through Design, Make and Evaluate Assignments (D.M.E.A). This reiterative process ensures children develop skills through focussed tasks that enable them to complete each assignment.
- Design: Children research and investigate existing products linked to each DMEA. They generate ideas are sketch and annotate drawings to explain their ideas.
- Make: Children make prototypes, select appropriate tools, materials or ingredients and follow instructions to create their product.
- Evaluate: The children review the final project compared to their original ideas and design. They consider the views of other children to improve their work.
Our Design and Technology curriculum follow Projects on a Page from The Design Technology Association.
The overview of projects taught are:
Impact
Our Design & Technology curriculum should ensure that children leave St Mary’s:
- With the knowledge and understanding of the principles of a healthy balanced diet by cooking simple nutritious recipes.
- Knowledge of the design process including researching and testing ideas.
- Able to critically evaluate their own and others work.
- A tool kit of life skills (sewing, cooking, construction) to perform everyday task confidently.
How to support your child at home?
At St Mary’s, we believe that a strong home-school partnership is key to successful learning across the curriculum.
You can support your child’s learning at home by:
- Involving your children in planning and preparing meals
https://www.jamieoliver.com/features/category/get-kids-cooking/
https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/collection/kids-cooking-recipes
- Create and Make Projects
