‘‘Good buildings come from good people, and all problems are solved by good design.’’ – Stephen Gardiner

Purpose of study

Design and technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. Using creativity and imagination, pupils design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. They acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on disciplines such as mathematics,
science, engineering, computing and art. Pupils learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens. Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, they develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world. High-quality design and technology education makes an
essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of the nation.

DfE Statutory guidance – National curriculum in England: design and technology programmes of study. Published 11 September 2013

Holland Park Curriculum Principles for Design Technology

It is the intent of Holland Park Primary School for Design & Technology to be taught in all year groups through at least two projects per year,  Design & Technology projects are often made cross curricular – linking to other subjects taught.

• Products are to be made for a purpose.
• Individuality should be ensured in children’s design and construction of products.
• Teaching the importance of making on-going changes and improvements during making stages.

• Looking into seasonality of ingredients and how they are grown, caught or reared.
• Researching key events and individual designers in the History of Technology in KS2.

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; through well planned and resourced projects and experiences.

Aims

Holland Park Primary School aims to ensure that all pupils:

• develop the creative, technical and practical expertise need 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 high-quality prototypes and products for a wide range of users
• 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.

Evidence

Examples of work from classes in both key stage 1 and 2 will be passed on to the Design & Technology coordinator in the form of:

drawings to show the child’s design process

presentation drawings

the child’s evaluation of their design

photographs of 3D products/models.

Cross curricular Links

The teaching of Design & Technology across the school will be linked, where possible, to topics being undertaken  through the use of the Design and Technology Association’s (DATA)

‘Projects On A Page’ documents. Children design products with a purpose in mind and an intended user of the products. Opportunities to link with other subjects include instructions on how to make the product,  presentation drawings of finished products etc

Technology Challenges

As a way of involving parents more in their children’s life in school, various Year groups will have the opportunity  to work with their parents in school time to complete different Technology Challenges, e.g.  balloon stacking, card tower, slow marble run, paper den,  cardboard tube construction tower, marsh mallow/spaghetti tower etc