DT

Technology, worldwide, is constantly changing. This makes the subject exciting and challenging to teach. We try and equip the pupils with a range of strategies. These will help them find workable solutions to problems. The artefacts they make need to be functional and aesthetically pleasing at the same time!

Pupils will develop their DT capabilities through a series of projects, in which they will design and make products using a range of materials and components. CAD (computer aided design) will be incorporated in number of these projects. They should do this with increasing independence as they progress from KS2 to 3. All pupils, regardless of gender, will be given the opportunity to participate in each activity.

Pupils will develop skills through direct and independent practical tasks, which include investigation and evaluation of simple and familiar products. They will complete projects which are appropriate to their age, ability and experience. Design ideas will be explored in different ways e.g. 3D models / drawings / discussions etc.

These projects will make sure pupils will be able to: 

• apply their design and making skills

• apply knowledge and understanding gained in taught sections of the syllabus

• work in a safe manner, caring for the workplace and other children in it

The projects will be either subject specific or cross-curricular, dependent on their content (STEM).  As a department we will also endeavour to include industrial links within projects and have recently worked with JCB, Michelin and KMF Engineering.

The syllabus hopes to:

• provide a range of experiences in using materials

• provide a knowledge of materials and processes

• identify problems in a given context, pose a solution after investigation and generate a series of ideas/solutions for it

• ensure projects are relatable to the 'real world' of design and engineering

• provide an awareness of how design and technology links with the other STEM subjects of science and maths

• allow children to communicate their ideas through the spoken word, written word and design

• acquire a method for research and development of ideas

• develop evaluation skills for their own work and others in the team/class

• use different methods of working

• establish some ideas of technology as the centre of human endeavour, in posing solutions to real life situations

• show we live in a multicultural environment

• provide a range of projects which will interest either sex

• produce schemes of work with an input from both sexes

• work in a safe, stimulating and appealing environment

• provide equal access to materials and tools

We also hope to foster the following spiritual capacities through DT:

• an imaginative approach to the world

• a spiritual sense of enquiry and open-mindedness in all areas

• a sense of life’s joys and achievements

• an awareness of community – its demands and values

• an increasing ability to emphasise with others

• the capacity to be aware of one’s own uniqueness and the worth of oneself