"Design is a funny word. Some people think design means how it looks. But of course, if you look deeper, it's really how it works."

Steve Jobs

Intent:

Design & Technology Curriculum S-Plan (KS1 to Year 6).pdf

It is the intent of Oldfield Park Junior School for Design Technology to be taught in all year groups through at least three substantial topics per term, which includes one topic relating to food. Design Technology projects are often made cross-curricular - linking to other subjects taught. In accordance with the national curriculum, our intent is to:

• Develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed 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.

Key objectives of intent within the Design Technology Curriculum based on the National Curriculum 2014 guidance:

• Products are to be made for a purpose.
• Individuality should be ensured in children’s design and construction of products.
• Delivery of the two strands: Designing and Making and Cooking and Nutrition.
• More emphasis to be given on creating ‘innovative’ 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.
• The introduction of computing and coding of products.
• Researching key events and individual designers in the History of Technology.

Implementation:

The teaching of Design Technology across the school follows the National Curriculum through the use of Design and Technology Association's 'Projects On A Page' documents. Children design products with a purpose in mind and an intended user of the products. Food technology is implemented across the school with children developing an understanding of where food comes from, the importance of a varied and healthy diet and how to prepare this.

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.

Design and Technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject, requiring creativity, resourcefulness, and imagination. Pupils design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts. It is very cross-curricular and draws upon subject knowledge and skills within Mathematics, Science, History, Computing and Art. Children learn to take risks, be reflective, innovative, enterprising and resilient. Through the evaluation of past and present technology they can reflect upon the impact of Design Technology on everyday life and the wider world.

Pupils study key events and individuals that have influenced the world of Design Technology are teaching focuses that are to be covered. 
The use of computer programmes and applications are also a key focus to be utilised by children in their design of their products.

Through a variety of creative and practical activities, pupils should be taught the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to engage in an iterative process of designing and making. They should work in a range of relevant contexts, for example, the home, school, leisure, culture, enterprise, industry and the wider environment. 

Impact:

Assessment of children's learning in Design Technology is an ongoing monitoring of children's understanding, knowledge and skills by the class teacher, throughout lessons. This assessment is then used to inform differentiation, support and challenge required by the children.

Summative assessment is conducted by class teachers across each year group of the school to inform the subject leader of progress or skills and knowledge still to be embedded. 
Design Technology is also monitored by the subject leader throughout the year in the form of booklet monitoring, looking at outcomes and informal pupil interviews to discuss their learning and understanding and establish the impact of the teaching taking place.

"Technology makes possibilities. Design makes solutions."

John Maeda

Design and Technology Policy.pdf