“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 (DT) 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 those qualities. Pupils design, make and evaluate products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. Throughout the carefully chosen DT units, children will be exposed to all areas of the curriculum: mechanical and electrical systems, textiles, structures and food. Additionally, the cross-curricular links are strong as the pupils draw on skills learnt in mathematics, science, 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; their final products are both taken home at the end of each unit and displayed as part of the Summer Exhibition. 

IMPLEMENTATION

At Ambler, we follow the Kapow scheme work. This has been designed to ensure each child is exposed to a range of areas of DT and is fully aligned with the National Curriculum. 

Units are carefully selected with the focus placed on developing core skills and technical knowledge throughout EYFS, KS1 and KS2.

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 
• identify the difficulties they encountered when making their own product and what steps would need to be taken to improve the product next time.

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, each pupil will create sketches when designing their products and receive photos of their final products that will be kept in their personal design portfolio. These move up through the school with them, allowing the children 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.