At Carclaze, Design and Technology (DT) is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject that allows children to develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world. Children are given the opportunity to design, make and evaluate a variety of prototypes and products. Design technology also teaches children the principles of nutrition and how to cook.

Design technology is taught weekly for a term and a half over an academic year, following the Kapow condensed curriculum. This is planned by the teacher using the progressive long term maps. Written work is recorded in topic books and practical work is evidenced though photographs and displays of finished prototypes.

Pupils will cover six key areas:

• Electrical systems
• Structures
• Cooking and nutrition
• Mechanisms
• Digital world
• Textiles

Design Technology is a spiral curriculum in which children will revisit each topic in several year groups, allowing them to deepen their understanding of the key areas.

Pupils will gain experience working with a selection of materials and of using a variety of tools in a safe and effective way.

The impact of the curriculum in Design Technology is monitored through:

• Learning Conversations – pupils are able to talk confidently about their learning in Design Technology to adults and to each other.
• Completed prototypes that children are able to evaluate.
• Images and videos of the children’s practical learning.
• Lesson visits

Additional Assessment opportunities:

• self-assessment
• peer assessment
• group assessment
• targeted questioning