Curriculum Intent

At the Albert Pye and Ravensmere Federation we aim for Design and Technology to be practical, creative and thought provoking. Through our carefully planned curriculum, our children will take part in projects that incorporate real life experiences and problems relevant to themselves and their community.  They will use those experiences to design, make and crucially, evaluate their products. 

 We aim for Design and Technology within the federation to be inclusive within every aspect of the subject, where every child is valued and able to succeed. Children will be taught a range of units including; mechanisms, textiles, food technology, structures, computer aided design and electrical systems. They will learn about designers and famous designs. DT at Albert Pye and Ravensmere will provide children with a wealth of opportunities and experiences ready to equip them with the skills and knowledge needed for their journey into the wider world.

Curriculum Implementation

At Albert Pye and Ravensmere Federation, DT is a fundamental part of teaching and learning and is taught from EYFS through to Year 6.

Children in the Early Years are encouraged to explore and use a range of media and materials whilst also developing their creativity, imagination and critical thinking. This is the foundation on which learning is developed throughout the school.

We are dedicated to the teaching and delivery of a high-quality Design and Technology curriculum. We have carefully constructed our curriculum to ensure opportunities for progression throughout each key stage.

This is implemented through:

 • A DT curriculum which allows for progression across year groups in all areas of DT (textiles, mechanisms, structures, food and electrical systems) 

• Well planned and resourced projects providing children with a hands-on and enriching experience 

• A range of skills being taught ensuring that children are aware of health and safety issues related to the tasks undertaken 

• Teachers are given ownership and flexibility to plan for Design and Technology, teaching DT as a block of lessons to allow the time needed for the children to be critical, inventive and reflective on their work. 

• Each half termly project addresses the principles of investigating, designing, making, and evaluating whilst incorporating relevant technical knowledge and understanding.

• Pupils being introduced to designers, chefs, nutritionists, etc. helping to generate an appreciation of human creativity and achievement and increase the cultural capital from which they can draw in the future.

Curriculum Impact

Children will demonstrate clear enjoyment and confidence in Design and Technology which they will then apply to other areas of the curriculum. Through carefully planned and implemented learning activities the pupils will develop creative, technical and practical expertise and gain a firm foundation of knowledge and skills ready to equip them for future learning opportunities and experiences in the wider world.

Assessment

Pupil’s skills and knowledge are assessed through formative assessment ongoingly by the class teacher and a summative assessment is then completed termly. This informs the Design and Technology lead of any further areas for curriculum development, pupil support and/or training requirements for staff. Subject leaders work together with teaching staff and Schools across the Active Learning Trust to monitor and assess pupil skills and knowledge within the assessment criteria regularly.