Design and Technology

"To build safe, independent lives for autistic young people through support, understanding and enablement"

Intent: 

At Springfields, our DT curriculum has been designed to give children the opportunity to develop skills, knowledge and understanding of designing and making functional products. We feel it is vital to nurture creativity and innovation through design, and by exploring the designed and made world in which we all live and work. By focusing on individual needs, fostering creativity, and promoting inclusivity, we provide enriching DT experiences that inspire and empower all learners. DT is a valued aspect of our enquiry-led curriculum as it provides a number of fantastic opportunities and develops crucial skills for our pupils. This includes identifying problems, brainstorming solutions, and bringing their ideas to life. From designing a simple machine to solving real-world issues, children learn to think critically and logically. 

Implementation: 

DT is taught at Springfields through our enquiry curriculum. From Explorer 1 – 4, pupils will follow National Curriculum objectives for DT that have been tailored to match our enquiry themes.  

In Enquiry One and Two, children will cover the following themes, with activities linked to the below objectives: 

Design  

•      Design purposeful, functional, appealing products for themselves and other users based on design criteria. 

•      Generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through talking, drawing, templates, mock-ups and, where appropriate, information and communication technology. 

Make  

•      Select from and use a range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks [for example, cutting, shaping, joining and finishing]. 

•      Select from and use a wide range of materials and components, including construction materials, textiles and ingredients, according to their characteristics. 

Evaluate  

•      Explore and evaluate a range of existing products. 

•      Evaluate their ideas and products against design criteria  

Technical knowledge  

•      Build structures, exploring how they can be made stronger, stiffer and more stable  

•      Explore and use mechanisms [for example, levers, sliders, wheels and axles], in their products. 

Cooking and nutrition  

•     Use the basic principles of a healthy and varied diet to prepare dishes. 

•      Understand where food comes from. 

In Enquiry Three, pupils will also cover the following in their DT learning: 

Design  

•      Use research and develop design criteria to inform the design of innovative, functional, appealing products that are fit for purpose, aimed at particular individuals or groups  

•      Generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through discussion, annotated sketches and prototypes.  

Make  

•      Select from and use a wider range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks [for example, cutting, shaping, joining and finishing]  

•      Accurately select from and use a wider range of materials and components, including construction materials, textiles and ingredients, according to their functional properties and aesthetic qualities  

Evaluate  

•      Investigate and analyse a range of existing products. 

•      Evaluate their ideas and products against their own design criteria and consider the views of others to improve their work. 

•      Understand how key events and individuals in design and technology have helped shape the world. 

Technical knowledge  

•      Apply their understanding of how to strengthen, stiffen and reinforce more complex structures. 

•      Understand and use mechanical systems in their products [for example, gears, pulleys, cams, levers and linkages].  

•      Understand and use electrical systems in their products [for example, series circuits incorporating switches, bulbs, buzzers and motors]. 

•      Apply their understanding of computing to program, monitor and control their products  

Cooking and nutrition  

•      Understand and apply the principles of a healthy and varied diet. 

•      Prepare and cook a variety of predominantly savoury dishes using a range of cooking techniques. 

•      Understand seasonality and know where and how a variety of ingredients are grown, reared, caught and processed. 

Impact of the Creative Arts Curriculum: 

The DT curriculum helps Springfields pupils develop the skills for a 'safe, independent life' by providing the opportunity for creativity, to innovate, problem solve and gain confidence. Pupils then have the opportunity to take a Design and Technology based pathway, achieving the relevant qualifications within these.