Intent

Crampton Primary School's Design and Technology program is meticulously crafted to provide a seamless and progressive journey through the knowledge, understanding, and skills outlined in the National Curriculum.

Designed with the aim of inspiring children, our curriculum encourages hands-on experiences to foster creativity and innovation. Through a diverse range of practical challenges, children at Crampton engage in the design process which empowers them to identify real-world problems, critically assess existing solutions, and then embark on innovative journeys to create meaningful designs within various contexts.

The design process allows the children to take risks, reflect, evaluate, and refine their prototypes based on design criteria. This ensures a robust foundation for problem-solving and innovative thinking.

Beyond skill development, our curriculum also explores key historical events and influential figures, showcasing the profound impact of design and technology globally. We believe in not only imparting essential skills but also instilling a sense of responsibility and a passion for innovation.

Crampton Primary School aims to nurture the next generation of forward-thinking contributors to the ever-evolving world of design and technology.

Implementation

Our curriculum seamlessly weaves essential skills and understanding into lessons, fostering a dynamic learning environment through an iterative process. Yet, this curriculum isn't a rigid structure; it's a pathway for the refinement of ideas, ingrained in good practice to enhance the depth of children's comprehension.

Our curriculum is designed to facilitate the continual development of skills, with a focus on building upon existing knowledge while introducing new challenges. Tailored for each key stage, the curriculum provides structure and narrative, serving as supportive tools for planning.

To reinforce learning, we embed the revision and introduction of key vocabulary into every lesson. This vocabulary extends beyond the classroom, finding its way into display materials and additional resources, ensuring that children have ample opportunities to revisit and solidify their understanding. Adult guides and accurate subject knowledge are integral components of each lesson, empowering teachers and supporting staff with confidence in imparting skills and knowledge.

Our overarching goal is to inspire both pupils and teachers, fostering a genuine love for Design and Technology. By showcasing its impact on the ever-evolving technological world, we aim to show the significant role this subject plays in shaping the world in which we live.

Impact

The children at Crampton will have clear enjoyment and confidence in Design and Technology that they will then apply to other areas of the curriculum. Through carefully planned and implemented lessons the children will develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world.

They gain a firm foundation of knowledge and skills to see them equipped to take on further learning in the future.

The children’s skills and knowledge are assessed ongoingly by the class teacher, throughout lessons and a summative assessment is completed termly. This informs the Design and Technology coordinator of any further areas for curriculum development, pupil support and/or training requirements for staff.

Early Years Foundation Stage

In EYFS pupils explore and use a variety of media and materials through a combination of child initiated and adult directed activities within provision. They have the opportunities to learn to:

• Use different media and materials to express their own ideas

• Use what they have learnt about media and materials in original ways, thinking about form, function and purpose

• Make plans and construct with a purpose in mind using a variety of resources

• Develop skills to use simple tools and techniques appropriately, effectively and safely

 • Select appropriate resources for a product and adapt their work where necessary

• Cook and prepare food adhering to good health and hygiene routines

Assessment of Design and Technology

At Crampton Primary School, we use various methods to assess children's progress in Design and Technology. Teachers make continuous observations during lessons and discussions, documenting evidence from their work in books. This assessment process helps inform future lessons, ensuring that children receive appropriate support and challenges tailored to their needs.

Given the hands-on nature of Design and Technology, evidence of children's tasks can take various forms, including 2D displays, 3D models and photographs of their work. At the end of each unit, children engage in self-assessment, reflecting on their work and evaluating how effectively it meets the design brief.

End-of-year assessments are conducted using criteria aligned with the National Curriculum and our skills progression document which is similarly aligned the DT Association.

For Early Years children, assessments fall within the framework of Expressive Arts and Design. Parents receive reports on their child's age-related expectation levels at the end of each academic year.

To monitor Design and Technology effectively, we employ a range of strategies, such as planning and book scrutiny, lesson observations, and pupil voice activities.

Design & Technology Project Overview