DESIGN AND TECHNOLOGY

At Fairway our intent is that our children receive an exciting and engaging design and technology curriculum, which enables them to demonstrate their resourcefulness through the designing and making process. Through the practical and creative nature of the subject, our children are encouraged to become independent, critical problem solvers and thinkers.

At Fairway, we encourage children to EXPLORE a range of products, technical skills and design ideas and KNOW which knowledge to apply to the making process and COMMUNICATE their evaluation of their finished product.

During their learning journey at Fairway we want children to develop an understanding of the following key concepts:

• audience
• purpose
• functionality

We aim to develop cultural capital in our learners by drawing on disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art. This will prepare them for the next stage of their education and enable them to become resourceful reflective and enterprising citizens.

Inclusion is at the core of our vision and ethos. We have developed opportunities to consider the nine protected characteristics of the Equality Act, British Values and children’s development of Spiritual, Moral, Social and Cultural education throughout our design and technology curriculum. We look to develop children’s awareness about the lives of others and this work is constantly changing and developing.

Design and technology learning at Fairway Primary School is carefully planned and sequenced so that new knowledge and skills build on prior learning and provide progression towards end of year and end of key stage expectations. We have adopted the ‘Projects on a Page’ scheme of work.

Design technology lessons are planned to:

• build on prior knowledge.
• encourage children to think about their learning, to reflect on previous learning and make connections between new and existing learning.
• give clear learning objectives and success criteria.
• develop the children’s vocabulary, with adults effectively modelling precise and rich language linked to art and design.
• give children opportunities to design, make/cook and evaluate.
• give opportunities for children to work collaboratively in pairs or groups as well as work independently.
• use effective questioning to check levels of understanding. 
• give children opportunities to communicate what they have learnt and made.

We aim to support all children to reach their full potential by enabling children to overcome barriers to learning. Assessment is used to inform next steps in learning to ensure that children are building on their prior knowledge and making appropriate progress according to their ability and age.

Our Design and Technology curriculum will enable children to:

• be imaginative and creative in creating audience-focused, purpose-led and functional products.
• acquire a broad range of knowledge and understanding of key facts and concepts.
• to combine practical skills with an understanding of aesthetic, social and environmental issues, as well as functions and industry.
• understand and consider the impact of their learning on the wider world.
• be able to apply mathematical, scientific, engineering, computing and art knowledge and skills appropriately for relevant projects.
• produce high quality products.
• evaluate and communicate what they have learnt to others.