Teacher is instructing her class
Girl in a classroom setting looks up from her work book
Children enjoying a craft lesson

Intent 

At Embsay C of E (VC) Primary School, we value and are dedicated to the teaching of Design & Technology as we believe that it is vital for all our pupils to develop creative lifelong skills to help them understand the world around them. We are committed to providing a ‘Design and Technology Rich Curriculum’ to encourage creativity, inspire, solve problems and, as they progress, develop critical thinking skills.  

We see Design and Technology as a means of supporting learning in a range of ways and the skills developed in these subjects can be transferred across the wider curriculum.   

We believe by developing this, we can contribute to the quality of our pupil’s lives, both within and beyond school by gaining the knowledge and lifelong skills to experiment, invent and create their own works of design and technology.  

Child friendly version - Children should learn about Design and Technology in a way that allows them to explore their creativity and develop practical lifelong skills of being able to experiment, invent, solve problems and create their own works of design and technology which will help them to understand the world around them. 

Key points teaching: 

-DT is taught from Year 1 predominantly by a specialist teacher with a few lessons by class teachers (shown on Art and DT Long Term Plan). Sewing has also been added into the Reception curriculum to help develop fine motor skills. 

-The aims of our curriculum for Design and Technology are taken from the National Curriculum and the work in EYFS lays strong foundations for this. 

  • develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world. 
  • build and apply a repertoire of knowledge, understanding and skills in order to design and make high-quality prototypes and products for a wide range of users. 
  • critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products and the work of others. 
  • understand and apply the principles of nutrition and learn how to cook. 

- DT Progression of skills document shows the knowledge and skills at each age phase including mechanics, structures, food, textiles (KS1 and KS2) and electrical systems (KS2). 

-Cooking and Nutrition is covered in every year group. 

-DT at Embsay is inclusive and provides a creative challenge and opportunity for problem solving for all pupils to enjoy. 

- Focus on pupils analysing and evaluating their own work, the work of their peers and that of artists, craftspeople and designers. 

-Teaching and Learning in DT is shown in displays around school and photographs of pupil’s work in DT books and on server. 

- DT specific vocabulary being taught within lessons. 

-A creative curriculum ensures strong links between different subjects e.g. English, Science, RE, ICT, Geography and History. 

-The importance of links with St Mary’s Church and our local community such as the Environmental group and the Fairtrade group are also in place to help children learn about their local area. 

Key points assessment: 

  • Evaluation and reflection by children and peers at the end of each topic written in DT books or verbal. 
  • Assessment to be carried out half termly using photographs of pupil’s work and on DT assessment sheets (in file). 
  • Assessment Year on Year using photographs of pupil’s work to ensure progression of skills.  
  • DT books move with the children to allow visual progression of skills for pupils and are looked back and enjoyed by children. 
  • Assessment results to be saved on server with children who have met /exceed or emerging identified. 

Supporting documentation 

DT Action Plan 2024-2025 

Art and DT Long Term Plan 2024 -2025 

DT Progression of Skills Document 

ART and DT Assessment File 2024 -2025 

DT Subject on a Page 2024-2025 

Art and DT Curriculum areas 2024-2025 

Wider curriculum links 

  • Stained Glass Window Art Project with St Mary’s Church whole school and community made into cards to sell. 
  • PTA Tea towel portraits drawn by each child in school and sold. 
  • Cookery demonstrations by visitors to the school. 
  • Cookery Club (2023) 
  • Palm Sunday Banner for St Mary’s Church (2024) 
  • Environmental Art and DT Project theme our village (s) and the environment (2024)