Design and Technology at Selwyn
Curriculum intent
The aim of Selwyn’s bespoke Design and Technology curriculum is to engage, inspire and challenge pupils to invent and create a range of high-quality products encompassing the key curriculum areas: structures, mechanical and electrical systems, textiles and food. Over time children will develop their knowledge and skills in the subject, which will enable them to confidently design, make and evaluate authentic products. The DT curriculum gives opportunities for children to manipulate a range of materials; learn design skills including drawing, modelling and CAD; understand how structural, mechanical and electrical systems work and develop practical cookery skills and their understanding of nutrition as they progress through the school from Nursery to Y6.
Children’s curiosity is stimulated as they analyse and test existing products and learn key skills through focussed instruction. In order to develop and test ideas through an iterative design process, children grow their resilience and independence. Bespoke and carefully crafted project design allows children to be challenged in a range of contexts and are supported to develop their mastery over time, working towards ambitious outcomes
Curriculum implementation
The Selwyn Design and Technology curriculum is bespoke – tailored to the needs of our children and thematically linked to their learning in the Humanities curriculum. Over the course of the year, each year group (Nursery – Year 6) completes three Design and Technology learning journeys (1 per term). From Year 1-6 this includes one food technology plus two that cover either structures, textiles or mechanical and electrical systems. This ensures a broad and balanced range of experiences are provided for every child, every year and as they progress through the school.
The slides below provide an overview of how we implement our curriculum at school.
Overview of Design and Technology areas and Humanities links
Cross curricula links are an important part of learning at Selwyn. The table below provides an overview of how our Design and Technology curriculum links with our Humanities Curriculum.
