Design & Technology
Why is Design Technology part of the curriculum at RFA?
Design Technology prepares children for tomorrow’s rapidly changing world. It encourages children to become independent, creative problem solvers and thinkers as individuals and part of a team. It enables them to identify consumer needs and opportunities and to respond to them by developing a range of ideas and by making products and systems. Through the study of Design and Technology, they have an opportunity to combine practical skills with an understanding of aesthetic, social and environmental issues, as well as functions and industry. This allows them to reflect on and evaluate past and present technology, its uses and impact. Children learn to take risks, be reflective, innovative, enterprising and resilient. Through the evaluation of past and present technology they can reflect upon the impact of Design Technology on everyday life and the wider world.
How is Design Technology taught at RFA?
At RFA, Design Technology is taught in all year groups from Reception to Year 6. Children participate in a project once per term, which includes one topic relating to food. Design Technology projects are often made cross curricular - linking to other subjects, particularly Maths, Science and Art. The Design Technology curriculum allows children to exercise their creativity through designing and making and are taught to combine their designing and making skills with knowledge and understanding in order to design and make a product. Skills are taught progressively to ensure that all children are able to learn and practice in order to develop as they move through the school. Evaluation is an integral part of the design process and allows children to adapt and improve their product, this is a key skill which they need throughout their life.
What is taught as part of the Design Technology curriculum?
Our whole curriculum is designed to meet our school vision. Our Design Technology curriculum is planned to meet the aims of the National curriculum teaching the children Design Technology Essential Skills and using materials from Access Art as a basis for the projects. Each project is carefully planned to provide a stimulating and enjoyable starting point which enable the students to demonstrate the skills and progression outlined in the curriculum. By ensuring the projects are inspiring, the children can explore and further develop both independent and group skills encouraging greater creativity and confidence which in turn enriches their whole learning experience throughout their time at RFA.