Pilton Bluecoat Academy

Vision for Design Technology

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

Steve Jobs

Vision

To inspire our children to see the value and importance of Design Technology in the advancement of humankind. 

Intent

At Pilton Bluecoat Academy we seek to ensure that Design Technology is an inspiring, exciting and practical subject that provides our pupils with opportunities to be creative and imaginative in their approach. Our pupils are challenged to design and make products that solve real and relevant problems, within a variety of contexts, considering their own needs and those of other people from around the world.

Implementation

Within our four-year rolling programme we have created key themes that act as a whole school focus. The themes last for a term and the National Curriculum objectives have been mapped out to ensure full coverage from Year 3 to Year 6. DT is not taught on a weekly basis but instead, runs as a sequence of lessons across the theme. For example, there may be a series of lessons over a period of approximately half a term that sequentially build skills and knowledge. The following half term might focus on building knowledge and skills in another subject within the same theme.

All lessons within DT follow the same pedagogical approach which is listed below:

At Pilton Bluecoat Academy the children are taught to select and use appropriate tools safely and effectively to make a product. Through each of the pedagogical phases the children are encouraged to consider the effectiveness of their designs and requirements of the product. Every child will have the opportunity to learn and extend their understanding, experience and application in the use of technology, including I.C.T, in as wide a variety of situations as possible.

Impact

• Our pupils will know more, remember more and understand more about Design Technology.
• Children will achieve age-related expectations in line with national outcomes for Design Technology.
• Children achieving greater depth will be in line with national outcomes.
• As designers children will develop skills and attributes they can use beyond school and into adulthood.