Branston Church of England Infant Academy
'The Best We Can Be'
The Intent of Design and Technology at Branston C of E Infant Academy
At Branston C of E Infant Academy, our Design and Technology curriculum allows children to be creative and imaginative in order to create products which solve real life problems. We believe that children should have ownership of their learning and be given freedom to explore and take appropriate risks. With consideration of something, somebody for some purpose, we allow the children to aim for an outcome that is tailored to them, and which follows a real-life brief.
The Implementation of Design and Technology at Branston C of E Infant Academy
In EYFS children explore and use a variety of media and materials through a combination of child initiated and adult directed activities. Children have the opportunity to develop their design skills daily when den building, junk modelling, constructing models and using the woodwork bench. .
Children need four key substantive elements of essential knowledge in DT: designing, making, evaluating and technical knowledge. Our KS1 curriculum is designed to teach each of these areas through mechanisms, textiles, food, and structures. Children will explore existing products and objects before designing their own. They will communicate their ideas through drawing, plans and mockups of their proposed products. Once the design stage is complete, children will make their product by using tools with precision and care as well as selecting appropriate materials. Children will evaluate their finished product against the design criteria which was set at the beginning of the project. Children will develop disciplinary knowledge, learning to form their own ideas, opinions and approaches as innovators. Our projects will link to many industries, to show children where and how these skills can help them in their wider life.
The Impact of Design and Technology at Branston C of E Infant Academy
As creators and designers, children have gained knowledge and understanding of different skills and techniques required to problem-solve, by designing and creating a variety of products using a safe approach. The knowledge and skills gained from DT lessons can be applied into all areas of the curriculum, as well as out of school. Children will understand how and why the things that surround them have been made and to learn the skills to make some of these themselves. Children will leave Branston C of E Infant Academy equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to enter the forever changing world that we live in.