Intent

At St James, we aspire for our children to engage with design technology projects that foster perseverance and creativity, skills we deem essential for becoming effective and successful innovators. Children are encouraged to harness their creativity and imagination, enabling them to design and create products that address real and relevant problems across various contexts, whilst considering their own and others’ needs, wants, and values. Skills are taught progressively to ensure that all children can learn and practice effectively, thus facilitating their development as they advance through the school. Evaluation plays a crucial role in the design process, allowing children to adapt and enhance their products - an essential skill for lifelong learning and cultivating problem solvers of the future. 

Implementation

In alignment with the National Curriculum, the Primary Knowledge Curriculum has been chosen at St James, as it is meticulously crafted to foster confident, proficient, and creative designers among our children.   Our programmes of study are organised into three termly projects, allowing for a focused exploration of key areas within construction, textiles, food and nutrition.  Teachers adhere to a clear progression of skills, revisiting and building upon techniques throughout the academic year. Instruction is delivered through modelling by teachers, accompanied by explicit success criteria that guide children in their practical work. To promote a genuine interest in craftsmanship, teachers highlight the contributions of notable makers and designers relevant to the topics.  We provide opportunities for enriching experiences through planned visits to galleries and museums, as well as inviting industry professionals to engage with our children. Cross-curricular links are intentionally designed to deepen understanding across various subjects, including technology and historical contexts.  in a supportive environment.  Children engage in a series of lessons that develop their skills and techniques using a diverse array of materials and tools. Children’s work is documented and celebrated in their folder, serving as a portfolio of their achievements throughout their time at St James. 

Impact

Design and technology education within our school creates an environment where children exhibit both enjoyment and confidence, as they apply their skills across various curricular areas. Whole school events, such as the baking and decorating of cakes for our Macmillan coffee morning, serve as exemplary opportunities for the collaborative sharing of projects, reinforcing the community spirit and teamwork essential for the success of the product. The inherently cross-curricular nature of design and technology enables children to integrate their learning experiences into both academic and extracurricular contexts. This integration cultivates a holistic understanding of the subject, allowing children to appreciate its relevance in diverse situations. To nurture confident design critics, children are encouraged to articulate their opinions and provide constructive feedback on their own projects and the work of others. This practice enhances their critical thinking skills while promoting a culture of respect and collaboration. Through the manufacturing of products, children demonstrate a passion for design and technology, developing an awareness of significant designers and their societal impacts. Engaging in diverse roles such as chefs, engineers, and tailors offers children meaningful and memorable learning experiences that resonate throughout their lives. Opportunities to participate in educational trips and listen to talks from inspirational local figures deepen their understanding of spiritual, cultural, historical, and contemporary life in Britain, while fostering an appreciation of past designs and their influence on future designers and technologists. We aspire to equip our children with a sense of their place in the world by exploring and investigating issues affecting communities both within the UK and abroad, such as poverty. Furthermore, we aim to share food and nutritional knowledge necessary to make healthy, sustainable choices. Our goal is to instil a high level of inspiration in design and technology, encouraging children to pursue their interests in this vital field.