Intent

Our DT curriculum is ambitious and designed to give all learners the knowledge and skills for them to succeed in life. Our curriculum is well thought out and coherently planned following the expectations of the National Curriculum.

Implementation

DT teaching at Holbrook School is creative, practical, innovative and relevant. The children enjoy this very hands on subject which encompasses skills as varied as baking, embroidery, engineering and computer programming, taking pride in their products and skill progression.

Resources are well thought out and selected to support all learners, irrespective of different ability.

Children are explicitly taught the skills of designing by building upon previously learned skills. The process of evaluation is given equal status as designing so that the pupils are able to reflect upon their learning and suggest ways of progressing.

Lessons involve five core areas of learning, which are design, make, evaluate, technical knowledge as well as cooking and nutrition.

Children have opportunities to work both collaboratively and independently. They are given time to reflect on their work and use our ‘Growth Mind set’ to problem solve meaning that valuable and transferable skills are built.

The assessment of children’s learning is on- going and is used to ensure that misconceptions are addressed and activities adapted appropriately to extending or support learning. Assessment is also used to inform future planning and next steps in children’s learning.

Impact

The nature of Design and Technology lends itself well to immersive learning, with pupils often designing, making and evaluating their products within a week. Design and Technology has cross curricular links to Art, Maths, Science and Computing, making it an ideal subject for STEM activities and inter year group competition. We are very lucky to have strong links in our local community and regularly host a variety of exciting visitors.

As a result, children leave Holbrook with a broad range of knowledge and skills that enable them to be resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens.

See our year 4 pneumatic monster in action!