Design and Technology

Design and Technology

Design and Technology education at Hotham helps develop children’s skills through collaborative working and problem-solving, and knowledge in design, materials, structures, textiles, mechanisms, electrical control and food and nutrition. They are encouraged to be creative and innovative, and are actively encouraged to think about important issues such as sustainability and enterprise.

Intent: Vision and Philosophy of Design and Technology

We want pupils to develop the confidence to take risks, through drafting design concepts, modelling, and testing and to be reflective learners who evaluate their work and the work of others. Through our curriculum, we aim to build an awareness of the impact of design and technology on our lives and encourage pupils to become resourceful, enterprising citizens who will have the skills to contribute to future design advancements.

Our Design and Technology curriculum enables pupils to meet the end of key stage attainment targets in the National curriculum and the aims also align with those in the National curriculum. In EYFS, our pupils work towards the Development matters statements and the Early Learning Goals through the provision and through tasks designed to form the foundations of their understanding of Structures, Mechanisms, Textiles and Food and Nutrition.

Implementation: What does D&T look like at Hotham?

Our Design and Technology curriculum is aligned well with our Hotham Project themes but maintains it’s integrity as real Design and Technology. Our pupils are challenged to think about specific purposes and users for their products which is  much more demanding than simply following instructions to make something. Children have to think, decide and plan, as well as create and evaluate.

There are three core activities children engage with in Design and Technology at Hotham:

• Activities which involve investigating and evaluating existing products

• Focused tasks in which children develop particular aspects of knowledge and skills

• Designing and making activities in which children design and make 'something' for 'somebody' for 'some purpose'

These three activities are combined in sequence to create a Design and Technology project. Our bespoke Design and Technology curriculum has a clear progression of skills and knowledge within these five strands across each Key Stage. We do not follow one particular scheme but have leaned heavily on the D&T Association when designing our curriculum. 

In Key Stages 1 and 2, pupils complete three D&T projects a year. D&T is alternated with Art and Design each half term. Pupils revisit key areas with increasing complexity, so they are able to build on their previous learning. 

Strong subject knowledge is vital for staff to be able to deliver our robust Design and Technology curriculum. Our teachers  engage in ongoing CPD so that staff feel confident to deliver lessons of a high standard that ensure pupil progression.

Impact: Evidence and Assessment of Design and Technology

The impact of Hotham Primary’s D&T curriculum is monitored through both formative and summative assessment opportunities. Lesson plans include guidance to support teachers in assessing pupils against the learning objectives. Furthermore, each unit has a knowledge organiser which is used at the start and end of the unit.

After the implementation of Hotham Primary Design and Technology, pupils should leave school equipped with a range of skills and knowledge to enable them to succeed in their secondary education and be innovative and resourceful members of society.

Design and Technology Overview

Please see an overview of our Design and Technology curriculum below.