Red Oak Primary School, Lowestoft

Design and Technology at Red Oak Primary School

Design and technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. Using creativity and imagination, pupils design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. They acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art. Pupils learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens. Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, they develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world. High-quality design and technology education makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and wellbeing of the nation. (DfE 2014)

INTENT

As a school we believe that every child has the right to the required knowledge and skills to be able to access the D&T curriculum at the highest level for the end of primary school, in preparation for secondary school. This includes developing the knowledge and skills necessary in order to be prepared for the demands of the High School curriculum.  Discussions with the D&T staff from the High Schools our children join has revealed that our pupils have historically left Primary School with a lack of skills and knowledge.  The intent of our D&T curriculum is to address this in order to enable our pupils to achieve at the highest possible level. The National Curriculum for D&T intends that all pupils should build and apply a repertoire of knowledge, understanding and skills in order to design and make high-quality prototypes and products for a range of users.  Pupils should develop the necessary skills to critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products and the work of others.  They should understand and apply the principles of nutrition and learn how to cook.  It essential that our pupils are educated citizens.  Throughout the D&T curriculum pupils will be introduced to specific designers, chefs, nutritionists, etc. helping to engender an appreciation of human creativity and achievement and increase the cultural capital from which they can draw in the future.

IMPLEMENTATION

At Red Oak Primary School the D&T curriculum is delivered through weekly teaching sessions.  This enable our pupils to revisit and build upon their learning each week. Through a variety of creative and practical activities pupils are taught the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to engage in the process of designing and making.  During this process pupils are encouraged to put their thoughts and ideas into action, reflect on the outcomes and repeat this process, resolving any design problems. Each project from Year 1 to Year 6 addresses the principles of designing, making and evaluating and incorporates relevant technical knowledge and understanding in relevant contexts.  All year groups complete one cooking and nutrition project each year.  During the EYFS pupils explore and use a variety of media and materials through a combination of child initiated and adult directed activities.  They have opportunities to learn to: explore a variety of media and materials; create effects with these; use media and materials to express their own ideas; construct with a purpose in mind; develop the skills to use simple tools and techniques competently and appropriately; and select appropriate resources for a product and adapt their work where necessary.

IMPACT

Through carefully planned and implemented learning activities the pupils 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 High School.  Pupil’s skills and knowledge are assessed termly after completion of each project and recorded on the school Target Tracker assessment system. This informs the D&T coordinator of any further areas for curriculum development, pupil support and/or training requirements for staff.

HOW WE ARE CURRENTLY CONTINUING TO IMPROVE DT AT RED OAK

• To grow some of our own foods to use in our cooking sessions.
• To furnish and stock our newly created DT room ready for use.
• To imbed the idea of sustainability.  

Please take a look at the D & T long term plan for this academic year:

Children from Year 1 through to year 6 also receive a sequence of 6 lessons with Premier Education which have been devised to allow pupils to fully understand how to incorporate a healthy and active lifestyle into their lives. 

"I can't believe he tried blueberries and orange, he would never do that at home" - parental quote 

"I went home and cook shepherds pie last night with my family because I could remember how" - student quote 

Please click on the PDF for more information:

Please see below the DT Knowledge Organisers for the forthcoming school year:

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

Year 5

Year 6