Design and technology (D&T) is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. Using creativity and imagination, 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 national curriculum for design and technology aims to ensure that all pupils:
At The Blue School, teachers in Key Stage One use the guidance from the LCP Raising the Standards scheme to support medium term planning and lesson planning. There are themes suggested for each year group, which focus on teaching progressive objectives of the curriculum. In the Early Years (Reception and Nursery) teachers plan experiences to meet the skills outlined in the Expressive Art and Design area of the Foundation Stage curriculum.
Themes covered include:
When designing and making pupils are taught to:
Throughout the school the standard of work produced in this area of the curriculum is outstanding. Children have access to a wide variety of resources and teachers often adopt a cross-curricular approach to learning; linking subjects such as ICT to lessons. D&T features in the success of ‘Black History Week’ in October each year. Every class makes resources linked to using DT and/or Art skills. In May 2014 Years 1 to 4 took part in the Jamie Oliver ‘Cooking Live’ session. All children worked together to follow the recipe and achieve the desired outcome.
Design Technology (DT) is taught at least once a term for a block of usually six or seven weeks. This subject is rotated with Art. Work from every class is showcased in classroom displays throughout the year and to families through a highly successful exhibition evening held every July.
The Art co-ordinator and D&T co-ordinator work closely each year to plan an exciting Art and DT Day in the summer term. All pupils get the opportunity to take part and artists from companies such as Caboodle have visited the school to work with the children in the past. In addition, last year (2013-2014) the Art and D&T co-ordinator worked closely with West Middlesex Hospital to produce 3 large canvases to display in the Accident and Emergency Department. All children at the Blue School were involved, either by having the opportunity to design an idea or by taking part in decorating the canvases, using paint, collage and a variety of other techniques.