Joydens Wood Junior School

At Joydens Wood Junior School we use elements from the Kapow scheme of work to support the implementation of this subject. This ensures a strong depth and breadth of skills and knowledge is covered.

Intent

Design and Technology encourages children to learn, think and intervene creatively to solve problems both as individuals and as members of a team. At Joydens Wood Junior School, we encourage children to use their creativity and imagination, to design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values.

We aim to, wherever possible, link work to other disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art. The children are also given opportunities to reflect upon and evaluate past and present design technology. They investigate its uses, its effectiveness and are also encouraged to become innovators and risk-takers.

Implementation

Key skills and knowledge for Design and Technology have been mapped across the school to ensure progression between year groups. The context for the children’s work in Design and Technology is also well considered, and where possible, makes relevant links with other subjects. Children learn about real life structures and the purpose of specific examples, as well as developing their practical skills throughout theprogramme of study. Design and Technology lessons are also taught as a block, so that children’s learning is focused throughout each unit of work. Our D&T curriculum provides children with opportunities to, research, represent their ideas, explore and investigate, develop their ideas, make an enterprising product and evaluate their finished work.

Children are also able to experience a wide range of media including textiles, food technology, sheet and framework materials; and through this, children develop a wide range of practical life skills, vocabulary and resilience.

Impact

Children develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently. They learn how to take risks, being inspired to think independently and develop creative, procedural and technical understanding through their designing, planning and practical activities. We encourage our children to develop their thinking skills within a range of contexts, to become practical problem solvers who can work creatively and innovatively on each new project.