Subject Leader - Mrs K Gosling

Intent

Through our D&T curriculum at River Primary School, we aim to provide children with a real-life context for learning. As an inspiring and practical subject, we intend to prepare children to deal with an ever-changing technological world, encouraging them to become creative and resourceful problem solvers, working both independently and as members of a team.  We teach our children to be inspired by real world opportunities and relevant problems, identifying needs and developing a range of ideas and solutions in a variety of contexts. By researching past and present technologies and applying knowledge learnt across other areas of the curriculum, e.g. Forces in Science, children build their confidence, resilience, practical and analytical skills. Furthermore, they learn to overcome challenges and improve designs and products, all the while finding motivation and meaning for their learning.   

The context for most DT topics is inspired by the main topic being studied at the time. These cross-curricular links enable children to make connections which deepen their subject knowledge, as well as their understanding of how subjects relate to each other in the wider world. Our DT curriculum provides children with opportunities to research, represent their ideas, explore and investigate, develop their ideas, make a product and evaluate their work.  Once a year children will complete an extended project to apply their knowledge and skills. Children will be given opportunities to showcase their learning to peers and families.  Children will be exposed to a wide range of media including textiles, food and woodwork; through this, children will develop their skills, vocabulary and resilience.  Teaching DT terminology is an important element of our DT curriculum. As they progress through the curriculum, children will develop an extended DT vocabulary which they will be challenged to use both orally, to discuss existing products; the knowledge and skills that they are acquiring; and the products that they have produced, and in written recording of research and designs. 

We want our children to learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens.  We endeavour to broaden their horizons and raise their aspirations through developing an understanding of how design and technology makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of the nation.   

Year 6  did an excellent job researching, designing, testing and refining their work. They linked their Science learning about electricity to make steady hands games.  During the process it was tested and evaluated by their target audience, year 3.