Our Aims

At Holy Family, we encourage children to develop creative, technical and imaginative thinking in order to confidently participate in an increasingly technological world. We aim to equip them with the necessary knowledge and skills to design and make prototypes and products for a wide range of users, whilst fostering enjoyment, satisfaction and purpose in the process. We ensure that the children understand and apply the principles of nutrition and are given opportunities to learn how to cook, whilst following safe procedures and selecting appropriate tools and techniques when making a product. We aspire for them to develop the ability to critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products, as well as the work of others.

How we do this

Our Design and Technology curriculum is organised into blocks with each block covering a particular set of disciplines, including food and nutrition, mechanisms, structures,  electrical systems, understanding materials and textiles. This is implemented through:

• A well thought out, whole school, yearly overview of the DT curriculum which allows for progression across year groups in all areas of DT (textiles, mechanisms, structures, food and electrical systems) 

• A range of skills being taught ensuring that children are aware of health and safety issues related to the tasks undertaken

• Teachers being given ownership and flexibility to plan for Design and Technology; often teaching DT as a block of lessons to allow the time needed for the children to be critical, inventive and reflective on their work.

• Each project from Year 1 to Year 6 addressing the principles of designing, making, and evaluating and incorporating relevant technical knowledge and understanding in relevant contexts.

What You Would See

Children will have clear enjoyment and confidence in Design and Technology that they will then apply to other areas of the curriculum. Through carefully planned and implemented learning activities the pupils develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world. They gain a firm foundation of knowledge and skills to see them equipped to take on further learning in High School. Pupils' skills and knowledge are assessed ongoingly by the class teacher, throughout lessons and a summative assessment is completed termly.