Design and Technology at Pudsey Primrose Hill

Intent:

At Primrose Hill we strive for children to become creative problem solvers as individuals and as part of a team by using a trial and improvement approach and thinking in imaginative ways. Such skillful thinking and resilience will in turn support children beyond life at Primrose Hill with problem solving and invention.

Through a carefully thought through and progressive curriculum children will develop their knowledge, skills and curiosity around how and why things work, as well as how products have changed and developed over time. They develop an understanding about how all products have to be designed by somebody for some purpose and how these have improved people's lives.

In EYFS, expressive Arts and Design (EAD) promotes purposeful and personalised creative development.  We teach children to explore materials and to design and build for meaningful purposes. This supports readiness for DT in KS1 and KS2.

Through the DT curriculum, children will be inspired by engineers, designers, chefs and architects to enable them to create a range of structures, mechanisms, textiles and food products with real life purposes.

In KS2 as DT skills become more complex and challenging aspects of the curriculum are taught through enrichment. This will provide children with a more concentrated working environment so that practical skills can be taught, practiced and perfected. DT enrichment sits alongside the school wide DT curriculum.

Our key substantive knowledge strands are: 

• Design
• Make
• Evaluate
• Technical Knowledge

These are an integral part of our progressive curriculum as children continually revisit these concepts to secure a deeper understanding of Design and Technology. Design and Technology is taught using authentic links to other areas of the curriculum and allows children to use the knowledge and skills that they have learnt in Maths, Science and Art. Children are taught how to safely use tools and equipment.

At Pudsey Primrose Hill we want our children to be proud of the products that they make and the skills they have developed within the DT curriculum. We aim to give children the opportunity to display their learning for others to see and give them the opportunity to appreciate each other's successes.

Owlcotes Elements 

During their time at Primrose Hill, pupils are offered a range of opportunities through the Owlcotes Elements to help them to develop curiosity about technology, how things work and how to prepare healthy meals, as well as develop an interest in design and technology.

Some examples include;

A Healthy Body and Mind

Children in year 3 use the skills that they have developed during food technology lessons to plan and cook a healthy dish.

An Investigative Mind

Children in year 2 take part in a LEGO workshop which enables them to develop their creativity, teamwork and encourages critical thinking.

Community Spirit

Children in year 2 use their food technology skills to bake buns as part of their visit to a care home and year 6 use their skills to run a community café.