Design Technology

Leader of Art Miss Gilson

At Balby Central Primary Academy we design and make like architects.

At Balby Central Primary Academy we produce creative designs and spend time exploring and testing ideas. We build our knowledge over time to ensure that we plan appropriately by choosing the correct equipment and materials in all areas of Design Technology. We spend time evaluating current structures of objects and critique comparing to purpose - we then use this knowledge to evaluate our own and one anothers' designs. Once designed, we make a product accoridng to our design brief and spend time using our language to evaluate that product. 

Design Technology is a skills-based subject and at Balby Central we appreciate how important it is for all children to access something they can achieve in. There are occasions where some children succeed and excel in the creative curriculum areas rather than the academics of English and Maths. We recognise this success as equal - every child in our school achieves and succeeds in one or more areas, so we create opportunities for those children - who are gifted in woodwork, textiles and food preparation - to feel pride in thier design work.  We use designs closely and evaluate them throughout to ensure that our initial ideas are improved throughout. We encourage children to develop their skills as follows: 

Art and Design Intent Statement

At Balby Central Primary Academy, all of our teaching and learning builds on our core values. We recognise the importance of DT in every aspect of daily life; we encourage children to be inquisitive and think critically throughout their time at our school and beyond. Our curriculum is driven by values that are important in the modern world – sustainability and environmental issues which will influence children and their futures. In the last 100 years technology has advanced more than any other point in history. We aim to prepare our young people to become confident designers, become creative designs and designs of the future.

The DT curriculum is built of 3 main principles:

Relevant and coherent – relevant to modern Britain

Environmental sustainability

Health and wellbeing – Equipped with skills to be healthy into adulthood  

The DT curriculum fosters:

• a natural curiosity of the child about the purpose of products.
• encourages skill acquisition, product testing and appreciation of the design process.
• provides opportunities for critical evaluation of design. 

We believe that DT encompasses the acquisition of knowledge, concept, skills and positive attitudes.

There are core disciplines which are repeated throughout the year but using different aspects of those disciplines, which enables the children to build up connections and understand how learning in one area can aid learning in another. Each block represents 1 Unit per half term, which is made up of 3 lessons,  which is delivered over 3 weeks. The disciplines  have been structured throughout the year, with a core discipline and a key concept, for example, when Y2 are learning about Mechanisms they will be centered around axles and wheels.  But when Y5 learn about mechanisms they will be learning about pulleys. Our curriculum also allows for CUSP links which gives the children the opportunity to make purposeful links with knowledge from other areas, geography, writing, science.

Our DT curriculum is:

• knowledge and vocabulary rich
• ensuring children gain a deep understanding of fundamental DT knowledge and skills
• Acquire a range of up to date DT skills that are appropriate and transferable the modern working world.
• gain an appreciation of the design process, the value of product testing and evaluation and the necessity of design with a robust purpose in mind.
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In Early Years, DT is taught through Knowledge and Understanding of the World – mastering practical skills, design and making and taking inspiration from products.  The children learn about DT in their play and adult led activities.  Our curriculum is designed to enable children to gain practical skills and develop a sense of purpose in products. 

Children are encouraged to be Designers by:

• Finding out about and showing curiosity and interest in features and purposes of objects, mechanisms and products.
• Describing and talking about what they see, including noticing similarities and differences
• Showing curiosity and asking questions about why things happen and how things work
• Investigating objects and materials by using all of their senses as appropriate
• Talk about what they want to make, including why and how
• Select appropriate resources for the design

How do we teach DT?

We use CUSP (Curriculum with Unity Schools Partnership) to deliver our DT curriculum. 

From CUSP, teachers plan and deliver lessons based on core skills and knowlege, practise of the new skills and application of how to use the skills in different contexts. 

To aid their knowledge, basic facts will be given to the children at the beginning of a topic and used throughout - this is called a knowledge organiser. A knowledge note will be used each lesson to aid each children with the facts they need for that lesson and the focus will be on learning those facts and applying them. Each teacher will assess how well a topic or skill has been learned and applied and differentiated lessons will be planned accordingly. Please see your child's class teacher should you require more information about the DT curriculum your child is following.