Design Technology

Purpose of study

At St Patrick’s we firmly believe that Design and technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. Using creativity and imagination, pupils design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. They acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art. 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. High-quality design and technology education makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of the nation.

Aims

In conjunction with the national curriculum, our design and technology curriculum at St Patrick’s aims 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.

Design and technology is a practical subject, which allows children to make sense of appliances and processes in their environment, primarily through first hand experience and exploration. It allows children to develop life skills through their own planning, designing and making. At St Patrick's, Design Technology is taught through problem solving activities. Children work through the Design Technology process of research, design, manufacture and evaluation as cross curricular challenges.
Through design and technology children are given opportunities to :    
·         develop their designing and making skills        
·         develop their knowledge and understanding
·         develop their capability to create high quality products through combining their designing and making skills and knowledge and understanding
·         nurture creativity and innovation through designing and making
·         explore values about and attitudes to the made world and how we live and work within it
·         develop an understanding of technological processes, products, and their manufacture, and their contribution to society.