Design Technology

At Rivers Primary Academy, we are designers and technologists!

We want our pupils to love DT and we inspire them to aspire to be architects, graphic / fashion designers, chefs, engineers or carpenters. We want our pupils to remember their DT lessons and embrace the creative opportunities they are presented with. Elements of our DT curriculum form part of the WAT ASPIRE curriculum: Our Aspirations are our possibilities - believe you can and you will!

Intent:

Our curriculum develops pupils’ aspirations so that they strive to be the best that they can be. We carefully plan the subject knowledge, skills and vocabulary, coupled with specific Aspire character virtues and learner skills, so that our pupils have the tools to be successful in learning and in life. The DT curriculum promotes curiosity and real-life applicable skills. We aim to enrich our pupils’ time in our school with memorable experiences.

Implementation:

Milestones and threshold concepts for each year group are crafted to ensure progression and repetition in terms of embedding key skills and knowledge. The DT curriculum has been designed to follow the process: design, make and evaluate. DT is purposefully threaded through our Aspire themes where applicable. Knowledge organisers identify key knowledge and questions that drive thinking. Inspirational, real-life role models within industry - past and present - are promoted throughout each DT project to encourage pupils to aspire.

Impact:

We aim for all of our children to leave Rivers Primary equipped with the DT skills and knowledge that will enable them to be ready for the curriculum at KS3 and for life as an adult in the wider world. Cumulative quiz questions measure the impact of the current learning and demonstrate pupils’ retention of previous knowledge and skills. Reviews in DT include work scrutinies, learning walks, pupil and staff voice. All of this information is gathered and reviewed. It is used to inform further curriculum developments and provision is adapted accordingly.