This policy outlines the aims, objectives and strategies for the teaching and learning of Design and Technology in Camden Junior School. This policy was developed in spring 2007 and will be reviewed and updated in September 2008.

Design and Technology prepares pupils to participate in today’s rapidly changing technological developments. Pupils learn to think creatively and combine practical skills with an understanding of aesthetic, social and environmental issues, as well as functions and industrial practices. The subject calls for children to become autonomous and creative problem solvers, as individuals and as a team. Through design and technology, all pupils can be discriminating and informed users of past and present design and technology, its uses and impact, and become innovators of the future.

To provide opportunities for all children to design and make good quality products.

To create interest and enthusiasm for design and making tasks for children of all abilities.

To provide children with a range of Investigative and Evaluative Activities, Design and Make Activities (DMA) and Focused Practical Tasks (FPT) to develop their design and technological capability.

To involve children in understanding and developing the ways in which products have been designed in the past and present and to meet the needs of different users, through evaluative activities.

To develop children’s confidence and skills in using and selecting a range of tools and materials safely.

Become increasingly independent in their designing and making.

Gather ideas from observation, information media and other people.

Use communication skills such as drawing, speaking and listening, and modelling in their designing activities.

Use a range of tools and materials in their practical work.

Record throughout the designing and making of a product.

Provide children with a range of design and technology activities in the form of:

Investigating and evaluating a range of products.

Focused practical tasks (FPTs) that develop a range of techniques, skills, processes and knowledge.

Design and make activities (DMAs) using a range of tool and materials.

Provide lessons which have a definite introduction and plenary to encourage the explanation of reasoning and reflective evaluation.

Question the children’s design and make decisions and encourage creativity.

Organise group and individual work.

Provide and allocate resources where and when appropriate.

Assess and report on children’s progress.

Be aware of health and safety guidelines at all times.

Be responsible for the care and return of all tools and equipment.

Design and technology units should be taught once per term, averaging around 8 -12 hours teaching time.

The school will follow the QCA Scheme of Work for design and technology, which is in line with the National Curriculum. Teachers are encouraged to develop the plans with their own suitable activities. The Co-ordinator will oversee the planning to ensure that progression and continuity is taking place.

Teachers will assess children in design and technology according to their progress, performance and outcomes. Pupils will also self assess when evaluating their work. All children will record their designing and making by using a design diary, which will accompany them throughout Key Stage 2. This diary will include action plans and evaluations for each unit of work and will be used when informing parents of their child’s achievements in the annual school report in the summer term.

The National Curriculum provides attainment targets for design and technology levels 1 to 8, including exceptional performance. It is expected that pupils would generally be working in the range of level 2 to 5 although there may be some children working above or below the range. The QCA units of work provide three levels of expectations at the end of a unit from which pupils can be assessed.

Design and technology will be taught in line with the school’s policy on S.E.N. We need to recognise the importance of identifying the specific difficulties that individual children might have in design and technology, so that appropriate teaching and organisation strategies can be adopted. All children will be encouraged and supported in developing their design and technology capability by using a range of materials, through achievable, yet challenging activities.

Children who are recognised as having a talent for design and technology and whose performance is above that of the national average, will be encouraged to widen and develop their knowledge and understanding of the subject through appropriate teaching activities.

Equal Opportunities

Design and technology will be taught in line with the school’s policy on Equal Opportunities. We believe that it is important for all children to experience a range of design and technology activities and we will use opportunities within the subject to challenge stereotypes.

Pupils use ICT to support and enhance design and technology where appropriate. Software packages enhance skills in designing and making, as ICT is used to collect information, model and present ideas. The Internet, CD-ROMs, databases and digital cameras are also used to collect and compare information. All units of work should ensure some aspects of ICT are covered.

Resources for design and technology will be stored centrally in the Design and Technology Cupboard. Teachers must ensure that all tools and materials are returned to the area. Before resources have been used up or are deemed missing, teachers should notify the D.T. Co-ordinator promptly. Teaching staff should also make use of the local area and other people as a resource for supporting children’s learning in design and technology.

The school will follow the guidelines outlined in Sutton’s ‘Safety Guidelines for Design and Technology’. Teachers will need to be aware of the organisation of safe procedures and hygiene when pupils are working.

The Design and Technology Co-ordinator will:

Lead the development of design and technology in the school.

Provide guidance for teaching staff.

Keep up to date with national and local developments.

Be responsible for monitoring and evaluating the subject in the school.

Be responsible for the ordering and storage of tools and materials.

This policy is to be reviewed and updated as necessary, to take into account future developments in the subject. The Co-ordinator will monitor the teaching and learning in design and technology and updated policies will be presented to the school’s governing body for approval.

Claire Murray

Design and Technology Co-ordinator

08.01.2007