“Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.”

Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple 

INTENT

Design and technology is a creative, imaginative and practical subject. At Ambler, it is valued as an important part of the balanced curriculum that provides the children the opportunity to display and develop the qualities above. 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. The cross-curricular links are strong as the pupils draw on skills learnt in mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art. 

As part of their work with food, pupils are taught how to cook and apply the principles of nutrition and healthy eating, as well as use their own creativity.

The National Curriculum for Design Technology aims to ensure that all pupils:

• develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world  
• build and apply a repertoire of knowledge, understanding and skills in order to design and make high-quality prototypes and products for a wide range of users  
• critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products and the work of others  
• understand and apply the principles of nutrition and learn how to cook.

As pupils progress, they are able to evaluate how design technology has evolved and develop a critical understanding of its impact on our everyday lives. Children’s design work is also celebrated within the school and wider community.  

IMPLEMENTATION

To ensure design technology lessons are purposeful, the units taught relate directly to the class topic for that term. Teachers’ planning are supported by a whole school provision map, designed to show how the children’s skills progress from Reception to Year 6 in line with National Curriculum aims and objectives.

Each design technology unit is organised so that the pupils are taught to: 

Session 1: Design

• consider the need for each product and who it is aimed at
• generate ideas through discussion, sketching, diagrams and creating prototypes 

Session 2: Make

• select from and use a range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks
• select and use a wide range of materials according to their properties 

Acquisition and application of Technical knowledge

• building structures and understand how they can be made stronger and more stable
• explore and use a range of mechanisms 
• understand and use electrical systems in their products 

Session 3: Evaluate

• analyse a range of existing designs
• evaluate their own ideas and creations against their own plans 

At Ambler we understand how developing and nurturing our children’s creativity and imagination is important in helping them develop into well-rounded learners. The school’s DREAMS ethos is included into each step of the design technology curriculum from being resilient when faced with challenges to empathy when working and evaluating other people’s projects. 

During each topic, the class will contribute to their class design portfolio which moves up through the school with them. This allows the pupils to chart and look back on their progress as their skills and creativity mature. 

IMPACT

The impact of our curriculum will allow children to leave Ambler with a foundational understanding of how and why products are created. They will have learnt how to take risks, be creative and resourceful and the impact that it has on our lives. The children display a sense of pride over their creations which is evident in displays within classrooms and around the school showcasing their work.