We are Designers

‘"I made 5,127 prototypes of my vacuum before I got it right. There were 5,126 failures. But I learned from each one. That’s how I came up with a solution.’

James Dyson

Why should we learn about Design and Technology?

Design and technology helps to prepare children for the developing world. The subject encourages children to become creative problem-solvers, both as individuals and as part of a team. Through the study of design and technology, they combine practical skills with an understanding of aesthetic, social and environmental issues. Design and Technology helps all children to become discriminating, informed consumers and potential innovators. It should assist children in developing a greater awareness and understanding of how everyday products are designed and made.

Design and Technology is often one of a child’s favourite subjects. Children like making decisions for themselves and doing practical work. They love creating products they can see, touch – and even taste – for themselves. They feel proud to have done so.

At BPJS we endeavour to plan and teach creative, awe-inspiring Design and Technology projects which captivate our young designers. Here they will be given the opportunity to hone their design skills, while learning to use a range of tools and computer software, and implement this in practical tasks.

How will it help children in later life?

• Pupils learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens.
• 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.
• Understand and apply the principles of nutrition and learn how to cook.
• Develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world.
• Make an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of the nation.
• Subject knowledge acquired is a spring board into careers such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art.
• A thorough knowledge of which tools, equipment and materials to use to make products.

What can children expect in Design and Technology at BPJS?

Undertaking design and technology activities in school will give our children a range of opportunities. As designers we -

• Get given a problem that you have to solve
• Work in teams and as individuals to create our own design briefs
• Break things up and put them back together again
• Use lots of different materials to create our designs
• Cook
• Sew
• Glue
• Sellotape
• Staple
• Make mistakes
• Use the wrong glue – and fix it
• Sew something inside out – unpick it – and sew again (the right way round)

• Work with local and national charities and companies to design and make products with a purpose.
• Evaluate our designs and say what we could improve
• Enter a range of competitions, work with design specialists and potentially have their work displayed to the public.
• Sell our products to fundraise for quality causes.

What can parents expect?

• Sample the delightful foods made in food and nutrition (always say yum and don’t let them see what you do with the rest)
• Support charity fundraising – buy a slice of pizza, a bookmark or a cake
• Find a way of keeping your child’s creations dry on the way home
• Find a way of keeping your child’s creations from falling apart on the way home
• Be amazed at the products made by children, display at home and invite family to admire them too
• Expand their own subject knowledge on designers, design processes and final products
• Talk to them about what they would change to improve their work
• If you work in the design industry, we will find out – be prepared to be invited in

How we teach

Our BPJS Design and Technology curriculum ensures a broad and balanced approach that builds on expectations of the National Curriculum (2014). We also use ‘Projects on a Page’ Scheme (developed by the Design and Technology Association - DATA), which is planned to ensure coverage of the National Curriculum and appropriate skills progression, as outlined in the long term plan. Two units of Design and Technology are delivered by each class teacher, during the school year. The children will have the opportunity to work individually, in small groups and as a whole class, in their classrooms. 

Inclusion

Differentiation is key to delivering an effective and inclusive curriculum.   All pupils' starting points are considered and activities and work is matched to ensure pupils reach their full potential, whilst supporting the child's learning.  Adult support, a range of activities, equipment and resources can enable children of all abilities to access learning. 

Our school will ensure that:

• all children have entitlement to a broad and balanced, enriching curriculum
• all children enjoy an active involvement in Design and Technology
• all children have opportunities to experience a broad and balanced range of DT activities
• all children have opportunities to learn about DT from different times and cultures
• all children will be given equal access to the experience of Design and Technology regardless of their gender, race, disability, medical or other needs
• teachers use a variety of approaches that are matched to the activity and the ability of the children

Design and Technology is one particular area of the Curriculum which allows a great deal of pupil creative expression and non-verbal communication. Therefore, we aim utilise this area as a means of supporting children with SEND to develop their learning skills and raise their self-esteem.