Design and Technology at The Holy Family Catholic Primary School

Intent

At The Holy Family School, we aim for the children to use their creativity and imagination to design and make products in a range of contexts. Design and technology is taught through a combination of defined design and technology projects, the direct teaching of skills and through activities integrated with cross curricular themes. Pupils learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens. They evaluate designers and existing products to inspire them to create their own ideas and designs.

Curriculum aims for Design and Technology:

At The Holy Family Catholic Primary School we follow the National Curriculum Programmes of study for Design and technology, and it is our aim that in Design and technology our pupils:-

• to give children the opportunity to take part in creative and practical activities.
• to understand the importance of design and technology in the wider world.
• to develop imaginative thinking in children and to enable them to talk about what they like and dislike when designing and making things.
• to enable children to talk about how things work, and to draw and model their ideas.
• to explore computing as a means of design.
• to encourage children to be analytical and critical when they are considering and analysing products.
• to encourage children to select appropriate materials, tools and techniques for making a product.
• to follow safe procedures when using equipment.
• to explore attitudes towards the made world and how we live and work within it.
• to develop an understanding of technological processes and products, their manufacture and their contribution to society.
• to foster enjoyment, satisfaction and purpose in designing and making things.

Early Years

During the Early Years, we plan adult-led sessions to teach children the skills that are needed in order for them to access the Child Initiated opportunities. We relate the children's creative development to the objectives set out in the Early Years Foundation Stage Development Matters Statements and then at the end of Reception, children are assessed against the Early Years Profile. These early experiences include asking questions about how things work, investigating and using a variety of construction kits, materials, tools and products, developing making skills and handling appropriate tools and construction materials safely and with increasing control.

At The Holy Family School, we provide an enabling environment offering a range of experiences that encourage exploration, observation, problem solving, critical thinking and discussion.

Resources and Websites to support children's learning