Design Technology

Design and Technology Curriculum Statement

Intent

At St Augustine’s, we aim to inspire pupils to become innovative, practical and thoughtful designers who can solve real-world problems with creativity and purpose. Our Design and Technology curriculum is designed to develop pupils’ skills in designing, making and evaluating, while fostering curiosity and resilience.

We intend to:

• Develop pupils’ understanding of materials, tools, structures, mechanisms, and nutrition.
• Encourage pupils to design and make products that are functional, purposeful and appealing.
• Promote creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving through hands-on projects.
• Support pupils in learning how to evaluate and improve their work and the work of others.
• Introduce pupils to the principles of healthy eating and food preparation.
• Help pupils understand the impact of design and technology on daily life, industry and the environment.

Our DT curriculum supports personal values such as creativity, perseverance and responsibility, and is rooted in our Gospel Values and school motto:
“Unique and United in God’s Love. We let our light shine.”

Implementation

Design and Technology is taught through a progressive and sequenced curriculum that builds knowledge and skills across year groups. Units are carefully planned to ensure coverage of the National Curriculum and to provide opportunities for pupils to design, make and evaluate a range of products.

Key features of our implementation include:

• Use of design briefs and real-life contexts to inspire purposeful projects.
• Opportunities to work with a variety of materials and tools, including textiles, wood, construction kits and food.
• Teaching of technical knowledge, including mechanisms, structures and electrical systems.
• Dedicated food technology units that promote healthy eating and practical cooking skills.
• Cross-curricular links with subjects such as science, maths and computing to enrich learning.

Teachers guide pupils through the design process, encouraging planning, testing, reflection and improvement.

Impact

Through our DT curriculum, pupils at St Augustine’s will:

• Develop a secure understanding of design principles and technical knowledge.
• Be able to design, make and evaluate products with increasing independence and skill.
• Demonstrate creativity, resilience and pride in their work.
• Understand the importance of design and technology in everyday life and the wider world.
• Be well-prepared for the next stage of their education with a strong foundation in practical and creative problem-solving.

Assessment is carried out through project outcomes, observation and pupil voice. Subject leaders monitor provision through planning reviews, learning walks and portfolio evaluations.