Intent 

At Southroyd, our intention is to provide a DT curriculum that inspires children to use their imagination to create products that solve real and relevant problems in the modern or historic world. We encourage them to be innovative and to ‘think outside the box’ whilst considering the wants and needs of the product and purpose for which something is being created. Children are reminded to think about the user of the product they are creating and the problem that they are intending to solve with their creation too. 

Where relevant and possible, we interweave Science, Maths, Computing and Art into the learning journeys so that children can draw upon their wider knowledge and problem solve across a variety of contexts. These skills also help them to be ready for the real world which is fast becoming more advanced with technology and innovation. Children at Southroyd are encouraged to evaluate and adapt throughout the design process, right up until the finished product is created. We remind children that not everything will work as they expect and that the design process is one with many twists and turns. With this in mind, children at Southroyd are resilient learners who are resourceful and adaptable – building blocks for later life.  

We introduce children to a range of past and present designers who have helped to shape our modern world. This allows children to have a deeper understanding of successful designers and their products, as well as giving them role models to be inspired by.  

As a school in accordance with the National Curriculum, we aim to ensure that all pupils: 

- 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.

Implementation 

Our DT curriculum offers children the opportunity to apply their design skills to solve a variety of real and relevant problems through a range of interesting topics. The topics build on prior knowledge and learning so that children can use the skills learnt lower down in school for the product or problem they are innovating for.  

Each topic allows for children to explore a range of creative and practical activities, encouraging them to engage in the design, make, evaluate cycle. This promotes resilience and adaptability as the children are encouraged to be creative and to learn, adapt, and change their designs as they move through the process.  

In certain year groups, we have outside agencies visit to further inspire budding designers with equipment children are familiar with, such as LEGO and Ipads. Children are given the opportunity to test their products and evaluate it too, which encourages them to be active learners and independent thinkers.