Design & Technology at Maple Court Academy

Subject Leader: Miss Whalley

Intent

At Maple Court, children receive a Design and Technology curriculum which allows them to exercise their creativity through designing and making.  The children are taught to combine their designing and making skills with knowledge and understanding in order to design and make a product. Skills are taught progressively to ensure that all children are able to learn and practice in order to develop as they move through the school.  Evaluation is an integral part of the design process and allows children to adapt and improve their product. This is a key skill which they need throughout their life.  D&T allows children to apply the knowledge and skills learned in other subjects, particularly Maths, Science and Art. Children’s interests are captured through theme learning, ensuring that links are made in a cross curricular way, giving children motivation and meaning for their learning.  Children will also have the opportunity to learn basic cooking 

The Subject Leader

My name is Miss Whalley and I am the subject leader for Design and Technology in the academy. D&T is a subject I am extremely passionate about, as it allows all children to demonstrate their ideas and creativity and develops skills that can be used throughout many subjects and enhances some key life skills. As the subject lead I ensure that all children are accessing this subject and enjoying it! I often speak with pupils and they share what D&T is, what they have been learning and what they have enjoyed or would change.

The curriculum 

The Design and Technology curriculum has been carefully planned so that children revisit key elements of learning throughout their time at Maple Court but the knowledge and skills learnt are built upon. This includes mechanisms, textiles, structures and electrical systems. Every year group has a food topic.  

EYFS

The beginnings of our Design Technology curriculum can be seen through the continuous provision opportunities provided in the EYFS where children create and construct using a variety of tools, materials and joining methods.  From making models to developing fine and gross motor skills to making sandwiches, children in our EYFS use their DT skills to make sense of the world around them.  

Assessment for learning

At Maple Court Academy, assessment is a key element to how we continue to improve the outcomes of all children. In D&T teacher assessment is crucial to ensure children can practically complete tasks and learn new skills, and use their knowledge of real-life experiences to design and evaluate their work. This assessment then feeds into following lessons or topics. D&T is made as practical as possible so that children have a hands-on approach and learning can be adapted in the moment.  

Pupil voice

‘The axle makes the wheels move. It makes the vehicle move so it can go outside.’ Year 2  

 ‘D&T is about making something for a person for a purpose’ Year 4 

 ‘In Year 3, I remember building a structure that was earthquake proof. It has helped me to build things’ Year 5