Subject Leader: Miss Lewis

At Broadbent Fold, Design and Technology prepares our pupils to participate in tomorrow’s rapidly changing technologies. The pupils learn to think and intervene creatively to improve quality of life. The subject calls for our pupils to become autonomous and creative problem solvers, as individuals and members of a team. They look for needs, wants and opportunities and respond to them by developing a range of ideas and making products and systems. They combine practical skills with an understanding of aesthetics, social and environmental issues, function and industrial practices. As they do so, they reflect on and evaluate present and past design and technology, its uses and effects. Through design and technology, all our pupils become discriminating and informed users of products, and become innovators. At Broadbent Fold, we aim to provide experiences relevant to the pupils with continuity, support and extension to lead them to develop skills and understanding for the rapidly changing modern world. Where possible, Design and Technology is taught as part of each unit’s cross-curricular learning themes, Stand alone units of work are taught in order to ensure appropriate coverage of a range of skills, techniques and media (This coverage will be during D&T weeks which happen as our whole school approach to cross curricular teaching).

Specific aims that will be employed are:

• To provide all pupils with equal access and opportunity to design and technology,  with particular awareness of gender and technology in other cultures.

• To encourage an understanding of technology in our everyday life and develop the technological capability of our children, with respect to the whole curriculum.

• To install good Health and Safety attitudes and habits.

• To ensure progression and differentiation within the process of Design and Technology and the context as outlined within the National Curriculum, considering all individual needs.

• To enable children to see Design and Technology as a whole process and not unrelated tasks and activities.

• To encourage children’s logical and creative thinking, problem solving skills and strategies, and building upon their practical skills.

• To provide opportunities for social skills development involving both group work and cooperation.

• To provide appropriate resources at all times.

 How you can support your child:

 -Encourage your child to observe different equipment and materials that are used at home.

-Discuss the eat well plate, and the importance of 5 a day.

-Cook and bake at home using recipes.

-Support your child with Home Learning Projects to further enhance their skills.

Useful websites:

https://www.topmarks.co.uk/Search.aspx?Subject=7

https://www.stem.org.uk/home-learning/secondary-design-technology

https://www.lego.com/en-gb/themes/letsbuildtogether/365-activities

https://www.foodafactoflife.org.uk/