Design & Technology Curriculum Statement
It is the intent of Fairfield Primary School for Design and Technology to be taught in all year groups, through at least one topic per term. Projects are planned with a cross curricular focus to enhance the learning of other subjects, whenever possible and appropriate. Children will develop skills progressively in all aspects of the subject, including: food technology, woodwork, sewing, moving mechanisms and more.
At Fairfield Primary School, we believe that Design and Technology prepares children to deal with our rapidly changing world. We recognise that making mistakes is a huge part of Design and Technology and is integral to learning in this aspect of the curriculum. It encourages children to become independent, creative thinkers and problem solvers, both as individuals and as part of a team. It enables children to identify needs and opportunities and to respond to them by developing a range of ideas and by making products and systems. Design and Technology is about providing opportunities for children to use creativity and imagination to design and make products that solve real and relevant problems, whilst considering their own and others' needs.
Through the study of Design and Technology, practical skills will be combined with an understanding of aesthetic, social and environmental issues, as well as functions and industry. Strong links with our STEM curriculum will therefore be formed. These will allow our children to reflect on, and evaluate, past and present technology, its uses and impacts.
Design Technology Study
Our curriculum follows the fundamental principles of Design, Make and Evaluate, enabling pupils to think and work as designers while developing a wide range of technical knowledge and practical skills.
During the Design stage, children investigate existing products, explore relevant design criteria and generate their own ideas. They learn to consider the needs of the user, develop plans and communicate their ideas through sketches, labelled diagrams and discussions.
In the Make stage, pupils apply their knowledge and skills to create products using a range of materials, tools and techniques. They learn to work safely, accurately and independently while developing their understanding of construction, mechanisms, textiles, food technology and electrical systems- where appropriate. The skills are progressive.
The Evaluate stage encourages children to reflect critically on both their own work and the work of others. Pupils assess how effectively their products meet the original design criteria, identify strengths and areas for improvement and consider how designs could be refined further.
As Design and Technology is a highly cross-curricular subject, evidence of learning is often recorded in the curriculum area most closely linked to the project. For example, a healthy eating project may be evidenced within Science, some projects may appear in Art and designs linked to a historical period may be recorded in History books. Alongside written evidence, photographs, design plans, evaluations and finished products provide valuable evidence of learning and progression. Aspects of our Design and Technology are showcased in our annual gallery, where appropriate.