Design and Technology
In KS1 and KS2, Design and technology (DT) is taught as a discrete subject in alternate half terms (Autumn 2, Spring 2 and Summer 2). Within our DT ‘Units of Work’, composite tasks have been broken down into smaller component tasks to ensure a structured and progressive learning experience, where children are provided with opportunities to develop both their substantive knowledge and disciplinary knowledge alike within each unit.
In DT lessons, pupils are taught given a design brief and then are taught how to design and create products that are both functional and aesthetically appealing, considering the needs of the target audience. Children are taught how to develop their initial ideas through discussion, the use of annotated sketches and templates, and, where appropriate, digital technology. Evaluation is modelled and planned for throughout the learning journey, fostering the development of technical knowledge as well as an understanding of how products can be improved for example by enhancing strength, stability or usability.
In food technology lessons, pupils are taught the principles of a healthy and balanced diet and are given opportunities to apply this to plan, prepare and cook a range of predominantly savoury dishes. Within this learning journey, the children are also taught the origins of food and how ingredients are grown, reared, caught and processed. To conclude the learning journey, learners then taste, reflect on and evaluate their finished product, developing their nutritional and culinary awareness further.
At Sir William Burrough, DT is taught as a blocked subject. This means that the DT unit for that half term is taught every day for one week in the half term; this learning is then revisited and revised through retrieval practice factored into our weekly timetable, allowing our children to benefit from the advantages of spaced learning and interleaving. We believe that blocking subjects provides children with the opportunity to become immersed into a topic and develop deep learning in the subject discipline: more time is spent learning and applying knowledge than transitioning between different subjects within the school day.
