Statement of Curriculum Intent – Design and Technology

The Design and Technology curriculum at Armthorpe has been structured with creativity at its core. We want to provide students with an environment within which they can be experimental, take risks and reflect and learn from their mistakes. We will inspire in students by giving them the opportunities and freedom to express themselves in a supportive environment. We will seek to foster our students to be independent and look to problem solve to encourage resilience, ambition and pride in their work. Students will be given the opportunity to work with a variety of materials including food, textiles, wood, paper and card. They will build a wide variety of subject specific vocabulary which they will apply in a range of contexts such as research, analysis and evaluation. Students will develop a range of transferrable skills that support them for life through the use of ICT and practical skills such as measuring, drilling, sewing and cooking skills. The importance of accuracy and quality will be embedded within our curriculum and pupils will be given opportunities to master a variety of skills. We will encourage an appreciation of the importance of sustainability in order to protect our planet and develop students to become responsible individuals who consider the impact of their actions. They will understand that health and safety is of paramount importance and respect the systems and procedures in place at all times. As a coursework subject, it is important that we develop our students to be organised, driven and to utilise good time management skills in order to meet deadlines and maintain pace. We aim to provide opportunities to develop life skills that may not be available outside of the school environment, encouraging hope, aspiration and opportunities for the future. In all material areas our students will benefit from seeing a process through to fruition, building self-esteem and giving students a sense of achievement. Students will be enthusiastic about their work and feel pride when they take home the high-quality products that they have made.

Our Product Design curriculum will:

• Embed knowledge of core principles such as new and emerging technologies, mechanical devices, materials and their working properties.
• Teach students to present designs in a fashion that demonstrates pride in their ideas and knowledge and understanding of a range of 2D/3D techniques
• Enable students to approach contexts and problems in a logical fashion and produce practical solutions to real life problems
• Encourage an iterative approach to user centred design, allowing opportunities for reflection and development of proposals through problem solving.
• Allow opportunities for students to work with a variety of machinery, hand tools and materials when creating inspiring products
• Create opportunities for students to work from inspirational sources including a variety of artists, disciplines and the world around them.
• Enable students to work with a variety of different materials and take an experimental approach, whilst also emphasising the importance of quality and attention to detail.
• Develop a wide range of vocabulary which will allow students to confidently discuss the visual/formal elements in design and communicate their ideas as they develop.
• Teach a range of methods by which students can successfully research and analyse the work of others.
• Nurture creativity and confidence in order to encourage students to express themselves through a personal response and take creative risks.
• Provide opportunities for students to develop their work and push boundaries.