Design Technology

Intent

At Barley Croft we aim to deliver DT as an inspiring, practical, progressive subject that stimulates our children’s imagination as well as  build on new skills that engage them in a practical hands-on experience in a progressive and systematic way which allows them to make links to their learning. We aim to teach it in a way that creates an aspirational and stimulating environment where children can showcase their learning innovatively to a range of audiences. We also aim to provide children the opportunities to self- reflect by evaluating their designs and ideas and how to improve them.  

Implementation

DT is delivered through our REAL project approach. REAL projects are the means by which we bring the National Curriculum and Barley Croft curriculum alive.  It stands for ‘Rigorous, Engaging, Authentic Learning’ and we place importance on each of those elements in order to run a successful curriculum project. Each project culminates in a final product or event which showcases their learning. Children can talk about what art skills they have learnt within the project and how these have been used in the final outcome.

All skills are taught progressively during a two-year cycle and this is monitored at regular intervals throughout the year. Children are taught the knowledge and skills they need as part of REAL project lessons. It is made explicit to the children what they are learning. This builds on their previous knowledge and skills and how this contributes to the project. Children are assessed throughout the project using a range of methods and this is captured at two points in the year.

Impact

1. Learning how to safely use a knife, kettle, hob and oven for cooking.
2. Understanding the eatwell guide to healthy eating.
3. Having sampled food from different countries and cultures.
4. Growing and nurturing a vegetable from a seed, then harvesting and eating the produce.
5. Experiencing a variety of tool and learning what they can do I.e. hammer, saw, drill, glue gun.
6. Trying to build a simple project using different materials – wood, fabric, metal- and different tools.
7. Being able to problem solve how to attach different materials together using: nails, screws, glue gun, tape.
8. Creating and following a plan of something you would like to make.
9. Becoming resilient, when things do not work/look how you want first time – keep trying and find a solution.
10. Trying to be eco-friendly – upcycle or repurpose objects in and around the school.