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Design and Technology
The Design and Technology Curriculum at The Pines
At The Pines School, we value Design and Technology as an important part of pupils’ entitlement to a broad and balanced curriculum, we understand how DT is an important subject to develop key transferable skills which will support pupils’ development. DT lessons help pupils to use creativity and imagination, to design and make real products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts. We follow the National Curriculum, differentiated to the needs of the pupils to enable them to acquire appropriate subject knowledge, skills and understanding. We ensure DT Food takes a strong focus across the school as we understand being able to develop cooking skills and understand health and nutrition is a vital for independence and preparation for adulthood. We create strong cross curricular links with other subjects, such as Mathematics, Science, Computing, and Art to ensure pupils have the opportunities and experiences to be able to practice and transfer key skills.
The curriculum equips pupils with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent, evaluate and create their own constructions and recipes. Our curriculum encourages imagination and creativity; involving pupils in a range of practical activities, using visual, tactile and sensory experiences, which will enable them to communicate what they see, think and feel. Pupils will be challenged to develop critical thinking skills and develop a deeper understanding of design and technology, through planning, drafting and experimentation. It enables pupils to develop resilience and curiosity about the world around them and to develop key transferable skills to help them to be successful and independent in later life.
Intent:
The curriculum is designed to engage, inspire and challenge pupils, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to experiment, invent and create their own work. It aims to support the development of the key skills of problem solving, decision making, independence, patience, and resilience. We aim to support pupils’ self-esteem and mental wellbeing by encouraging pupils to use their creativity and imagination to design and make relevant products and to be proud of their achievements and have pride in the work produced. We want to help pupils develop the skills of being able to work co-operatively and the communication skills to be able to express their thoughts and ideas and consider their own and others’ needs, wants and values. Pupils will be challenged to think critically and develop a deeper understanding of construction and how design and technology reflects and shapes our history and will contribute to our future. We intend that pupils will be challenged to develop increased proficiency in designing and making products that solve real and relevant problems and being able to make healthy recipes with increasing independence. Across the curriculum, we explore the various jobs and roles that are linked to design and technology and food preparation and nutrition to help pupils gain an understanding the types of employment they could enter after they leave The Pines.
Implementation:
To ensure high standards of teaching and learning in design and technology, we implement a curriculum that is progressive and provides the full National Curriculum which is carefully differentiated to the needs of the pupils. DT is taught as part of thematic curriculum in Primary and in secondary, each term, pupils tackle a project and lessons are delivered within their art lessons. In primary, teachers deliver cooking lessons every term and in secondary, pupils have a discrete cooking lesson each week. In KS4, all pupils are able to complete a GCSE or ASDAN qualification in food technology. Teachers planning is supported by a knowledge overview document and medium term plans which clearly map out learning outcomes to ensure there is clear challenge and high expectations for all learners. We adopt a practical approach to within DT, enabling all pupils to gain ‘real-life’ experiences and the use of a range of technology and tools to create their designs. At The Pines, we provide a variety of opportunities for learning to take place inside and outside of the classroom and pupils have opportunities to have encounters with employers linked to careers in areas related to DT / STEM.
The key aim of the Early Years curriculum is to provide high quality play with planning based on themes allowing pupils a holistic approach to learning. Planning for the specific area of expressive arts and design aims is to guide the pupils to explore and use a range of tools and materials safely. Within the continuous provision (activities provided throughout the day indoors and out) children have the opportunity to create and share their creations by engaging with play that is child led, play which is sensitively supported and extended by adults and play that is guided towards specific educational outcomes.
Impact:
Pupils develop their creativity and imagination in practical ways and will design and make products that solve real and relevant problems. Pupils will develop broad subject knowledge and subject vocabulary and draw on other subjects such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art. Pupils will develop their independence and confidence and will be able to tackle problems and projects using a range of transferable skills which will be useful for them in adulthood. Pupils will develop their self-esteem through the celebration of their work, ideas and evaluations. Pupils will have developed their knowledge of nutrition and the skills to be able to prepare simple meals with increasing independence and make healthier choices.