Design and Technology
Our Intent at St Erth in design and technology is that children:
- Explore D&T through 6 key areas of study: Cooking and Nutrition; Mechanisms and Mechanical Systems; Structures; Textiles; Electrical Systems and the Digital World (KS2 only) .
- Use creativity and imagination, together with practical skills, to solve real and relevant problems to take part in a increasingly technological world
- Acquire knowledge, drawing on other disciplines of maths, science, engineering, computing and art
- Develop skills to design, make, evaluate and test their ideas and products
- Understand nutrition and learn how to cook a range of balanced meals
- Retain key knowledge and skills from each unit of study, which are built on as they move through the school.
- Access the curriculum at an appropriate level and are supported to do so.
Design & technology is implemented by:
- A focus on the process of ‘design, make, evaluate’
- Creating clear sequential learning between units of learning, using key areas of study.
- learning activities to support the learning are selected and designed, providing appropriate challenge to all learners, in line with the school’s commitment to inclusion.
- Ensuring that adequate time is dedicated to the teaching & learning of design & technology for each unit of study. It is most likely to be taught in blocks.
- Using as risk assessments, to ensure highest level of compliance and safety during the subject.
- Utilising a range of recording strategies to record planning/evaluate the learning.
The impact of learning in design & technology is assessed by:
- Children being able to talk about their learning with confidence.
- Children will be able to discuss the quality of the outcome and make suggestions for how their product could be improved.
- Retrieval lessons before the unit starts are used to assess the key knowledge needed to access new learning
How we support children with SEND in design and technology
All children can enjoy and achieve in design and technology and any SEND should not limit them in any way. Children should be encouraged to create using tools that reflect their understanding and appreciation of a variety of stimuli that are adapted where needed. Adaptations to equipment and materials can be made to allow easier access where necessary, along with extra adult support, extra time, etc.
What amendments are made to the subject in order to help children with SEND to achieve?
- Fostering a can do attitude, particularly with the use of new technology, equipment, methods, etc.
- A spiral curriculum (revisit and revise) - At the start of the lesson, children will be revisiting the vocabulary and keys facts you have learnt. This will give children with SEND more time and opportunities to understand the concepts and vital knowledge they need to access the learning.
- Support using tools for those with physical needs, such as spring loaded scissors.
- Interventions / daily practise where needed for those with fine motor difficulties.
- Visual word mats - where appropriate we will create a visual word mat or collage for children with SEND.
