Our Curriculum Intent for Design and Technology

At Fleet Infant School we believe Design and Technology education stimulates creativity and imagination through problem solving and the production of quality products. The children are taught to select and use appropriate tools safely and effectively to make a product.

In Year R, children will be encouraged to explore a range of skills linked to Design Technology and will be given opportunities to do so through targeted, adult-led activities as well as through continuous provision.

In Key Stage 1 the children will learn the four part process that is involved to design purposeful, functional and appealing products that are based on design criteria. They will learn how to join materials in different ways. They will make products by using a wide range of materials and develop the use of tools to cut, shape, join and finish. They will learn to evaluate products and suggest how it could be improved to be stronger, stiffer and more stable. They also learn to prepare simple food with an emphasis on cutting, slicing and mashing techniques. 

We aim for our children to be self-motivated and confident learners, who can work independently and as part of a team. 

Inclusion

Throughout the planning process, we consider learners with SEND. Teachers will consider the barriers of the individual children and the key learning of each lesson and unit; identifying the areas of new learning. Teachers:

• Present topics in a practical way through the skills needed in Design and Technology.
• Use other sources such as photographs, videos, practical modelling and other Design works to help understand what skills are being taught.
• Pre-teach new language that the children might not have come across before.
• Break down learning into smaller steps and allow children more time to explore and practice the skill they are learning.
• Children will be reminded of the four part process in Design and Technology through prior learning and recaps.
• Use talk partners and small group work for children to share ideas and listen to others.
• Assess children’s understanding through discussion and practical work.

If needed, additional support will be included in the form of an extra adult to ensure these learners become proficient in their understanding of the skills needed in Design and Technology.

DT Overview of Skills and Progression