Design and Technology provision at Saxmundham Primary School is:

DT is a practical subject that is based on a broad range of subject knowledge and draws on disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art.  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.

During their time at Saxmundham Primary School children will consider different areas within the subject. These areas are : Food and Nutrition, Textiles, Structures and Mechanisms and Electrical systems. As well as learning vital practical skills they will consider real life products, designs and designers and consider the impact of their work. Intent  

At Saxmundham we intend to:

• provide a range of opportunities to be creative in a variety of ways
• provide experiences for children to explore different ways of joining and building with a range of materials
• encourage children to persevere and problem solve when approached with unexpected issues
• build a Design Technology curriculum which develops learning and results in the acquisition of knowledge and skills. Children will know more, remember more and understand more.
• design a design technology curriculum with appropriate subject knowledge, skills and understanding as set out in the National Curriculum Design Technology Programmes of Study

Implementation

• Clear and comprehensive scheme of work in line with the National Curriculum. The Design Technology National Curriculum and EYFS is planned for and covered in full within the EYFS, KS1 and KS2 school curriculum. Whilst the EYFS and National Curriculum forms the foundation of our curriculum, we make sure that children learn additional skills, knowledge and understanding and enhance our curriculum as and when necessary.
• Delivery showing clear following of the design process where each project will follow design, make and evaluate.
• A range of skills will be taught ensuring that children are aware of health and safety issues related to the tasks undertaken
• Clear and appropriate cross curricular links to underpin learning in multi areas across the curriculum giving the children opportunities to learn life skills and apply skills to ‘hands on’ situations in a purposeful context.
• In design technology children may well be asked to solve problems and develop their learning independently. This allows the children to have ownership over their curriculum and lead their own learning in Design Technology.
• Collaborative learning: In design and technology children may well be asked to work as part of a team learning to support and help one another towards a challenging, yet rewarding goal.
• Children will revisit the different areas within DT throughout their time at Saxmundham Primary, progressively building on their knowledge and skills. Please see a separate document called ‘Saxmundham Implementation 2022’ and long term plans, for details of  the skills we expect children to learn at the different stages

Impact

• Children at Saxmundham Primary school have the opportunity to develop skills through Design and Technology projects throughout the year.
• See photographs in DT file  for  recent examples of DT across the school.
• Children will have clear enjoyment and confidence in design and technology that they will then apply to other areas of the curriculum.
• Children will ultimately know more, remember more and understand more about Design Technology, demonstrating this knowledge when using tools or skills in other areas of the curriculum and in opportunities out of school.
• The large majority of children will achieve age related expectations in Design Technology. As designers children will develop skills and attributes they can use beyond school and into adulthood.