Intent:

At Riverside Primary School, Design and Technology is a practical subject that is inspiring and engaging. Children are supported to develop creativity, teamwork and problem-solving skills, to design and make products within a range of contexts. Design technology creates many cross-curricular opportunities for children to explore subjects, including mathematics, science and art. We encourage children to reflect upon design technology throughout past and present, as well as reflecting on and evaluating their own work.

Implementation:

During EYFS, children explore and use a variety of media and materials through a combination of child initiated and adult directed activities. Children can use their creativity to plan and construct projects with a range of functions and purposes. They begin to develop skills to use simple tools and techniques to create a product, whilst building their resilience and intuition.

In Key stage 1 and 2, children develop two Design and Technology projects throughout each school year, exploring threads of textiles, structure, mechanism and electricity, continuously building upon their previous learning. Additionally, children also complete at least one food technology project every year. At Riverside, every project follows a path to design, make and evaluate a product, while developing the children’s technical knowledge and techniques. We give children of all abilities the opportunity to develop their skills, knowledge and understanding, whilst ensuring progressive challenge to their design and making. Throughout Key stage 2, children benefit from a range of hands-on experiences through workshops and visitors.

Impact:

Through Design and Technology, children develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world. Children build and apply a range of knowledge, understanding and skills to design and make high-quality products for a wide range of users and evaluate their ideas and products and the work of others. Children learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative and reflective. Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, they develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world.