Design Technology

Intent

Design and Technology is an immersive and knowledge-rich subject that can inspire the minds of many. At Ash Tree, children are encouraged to individually exhibit their creativity and imagination through the process of designing and making products that solve real and relevant problems in a variety of contexts, taking into consideration their own and others’ needs, wants and values. We aim to see progressive skills from year group to year group, ensuring we can embed knowledge whilst recalling and retrieving previously taught skills by building on them in a continuous cycle.

At Kippax Ash Tree we strive to thrive:

• We have the ambition to achieve whatever we strive towards in our design and technology lessons, regardless of our backgrounds, socio-economics or knowledge. We believe that we have the right to access the learning that we desire in a way that suits our school and students.
• We develop resilience; design and technology is a lesson that epitomises resilience – if something isn’t right/doesn’t work, try it again! We acknowledge that we don’t always get it right the first time but with that comes the desire to adapt and improve, promoting self-growth along the way.
• We acknowledge our ‘flaws’ alongside our strengths and choose to appreciate them anyway, knowing that when we are accountable for putting in the hard work and dedication required, we can always achieve.

Implementation

At Ash Tree we use Kapow as a basis for our design and technology curriculum. Kapow offers a full scheme of work which can easily be adapted to each class’ individual needs.,Our design and technology curriculum provides complete coverage of the National Curriculum, offering access to a diverse range of topics and activities geared towards creating immersive lessons for all students. The curriculum we follow (centred on Kapow) enables students to meet the end of key stage attainment targets outlined in the National Curriculum. Each unit allows students to follow the ‘design, make, evaluate’ model and skills are developed in six key areas: cooking and nutrition, mechanical systems, textiles, structures, electrical systems (KS2) and the digital world (KS2).

Impact

Children learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable world citizens, developed upon who they naturally are. 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 well-being of the nation and more specifically, our Ash Tree children.