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Design and Technology (DT)
At Valley Invicta Primary School at Kings Hill, our carefully designed curriculum prepares children to take part in the development of today’s rapidly changing world. This subject encourages children to become autonomous and creative problem-solvers, both as individuals and sometimes as part of a team. The cross-curricular nature of our design and technology scheme of work teaches practical skills and an understanding of aesthetic, social and environmental issues. This allows children to reflect on and evaluate present and past design and technology, its uses and its impacts. Pupils learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens. Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, they develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world. Our children enjoy designing and making for a real purpose and often sell their work at planned events to raise money for charities and for the school.
Assessment
Design and Technology knowledge gathering and learning are collected and recorded in sketchbooks from Year 1 to Year 6.
Children are encouraged to use these creatively. Each child is unique; sketchbooks reflect this as children develop their independence and creativity.
Teachers assess children’s knowledge, understanding and skills in Design and Technology by making observations of children working and by giving verbal feedback. Q-Matrix questions are devised to deepen understanding, forming an important part of formative assessment. Hinge questions ensure that children are ready to make progress and low-stakes knowledge checks are used to revisit key facts to help children retain information about designers, movements, craftworkers and techniques.
Children and teachers use green and pink highlighters to identify which steps to success the children have mastered. This identifies whether more time or support is needed to complete tasks or deepen understanding.
Children are encouraged to be critical of their own work and that of others through reflective self and peer evaluations. Teachers celebrate the learning journey that the children have experienced and the final outcomes with a short, written statement.
Find out more about how DT is taught at Kings Hill here.
For more information about our curriculum, please click here.
