Design and technology (DT)

At Queensgate our Design and Technology (DT) curriculum aims to facilitate long-term learning. All lessons follow a clear progression map and this feeds into a spiral curriculum, where previous learning is built upon each year. Throughout each key stage we provide the opportunity for children to develop their technical skills in;

• Mechanisms 
• Textiles
• Cooking and nutrition
• Structures
• Electrical Systems (Key Stage 2 only)

We aim to challenge all learners to broaden their knowledge and develop their use of technical vocabulary. As a result, the children are should be able to articulate the skills that they have applied, the equipment that they have used and describe the materials and features of the product that they have made.

We follow the ‘Design, Make, Evaluate’ approach as outlined in the National Curriculum. Each class teaches at least one DT topic per term and children are encouraged to be consistently reflective and experimental throughout their learning. When designing their product, children will research and refine their ideas through detailed designs and prototypes. During the making process, teachers model technical skills and highlight good practice and safety skills. Finally, in the evaluation stage children will be considering what worked effectively and how they can improve the impact of the overall appearance and usability of their product.

Design and Technology provides our children with an opportunity to tackle problems of a practical nature. The cross curricular nature of Design and Technology offers a setting for the children to apply knowledge and skills linked to a number of other subjects including art, language, maths and science.

Staff at Queensgate have high expectations of all pupils and work is differentiated as appropriate. We aim to provide inspiring, active and collaborative learning experiences which allow the children to learn from each other. This in turn will support our pupils to develop life skills, enable them to become reflective learners as well as will prepare them for future occupations…here’s to becoming a great inventor, a civil engineer or maybe even the next top chef!