This policy outlines the teaching
and learning of design and technology. This policy will be reviewed annually by the
co-ordinator and by the governing body.
The implementation of the policy will be monitored by the subject leader
and the headteacher.
Aims:
·
Design and technology is a practical subject providing
opportunities for all children to design and make good quality products.
·
The aim of this school is to develop designing and making
skills, knowledge and understanding to the best of each child’s ability, using
a range of tools, materials and components safety.
·
Design and Technology involves children in developing an
understanding of the ways in which products have been designed in the past and
present to meet the needs of people.
Implementation:
An afternoon session per week
(approx. 1 hour will be allocated to teaching design and technology for some
activities it may be more appropriate to block time (eg an afternoon per week for
˝ a term, or 3 successive afternoons).
The school has developed a long term plan for design
and technology by adapting the QCA scheme of works and incorporating additional
support materials from The Nuffield Foundation.
Units of work will always include the three types of
activity specified in the National Curriculum Order:
·
investigative and evaluative activities
·
focused practical tasks
·
designing and making assignments
The relevant links with art, maths, science and IT
have been detailed in the planned units of work.
Children will design and make a range or
products. A good quality finish will be
expected in all design and make activities appropriate to the age and ability
of the child.
All children will record their designing and making
by using design sheets/process books. A
process book will accompany each child throughout their time at Greenway and
will include all aspects of children’s DT work for each unit.
Displays of design and technology work will be set
up where appropriate to celebrate children’s achievement.
We believe that it is important for all children to
experience the range of design and technology activities. We will use
opportunities within design and technology to challenge stereotypes.
All children will be encouraged and supported to
develop design and technology capability through a range of materials. We recognised the importance of identifying
the specific difficulties that individual children might have in design and
technology so that appropriate teaching and organisation strategies can be
adopted.
Guidelines:
1. Assessment, recording and reporting
On completion of each unit of work the class teacher
will identify 3 samples matched to the expectations described on the QCA unit
of work (ie average/above average/below average). The practical outcomes will be photographed and the design work
photocopied. These will be passed to
the subject leader, annotated to indicate the NC level and placed in a
portfolio of evidence. At one staff
meeting/year staff will check the levels awarded and conduct agreement
trialling.
Children’s annual report to parents will detail progress and achievements in
designing and making.
Additional materials are available to support
teachers who want to undertake activities outside the scheme of work. These are
stored in the D&T store room.
Collection of products suitable to use as a stimulus for designing and making
activities or for investigative tasks are being developed and will be located
in the D&T store room.
Tools and equipment, including food resources –are kept in the D&T store.
3. Health and safety
Teachers will always teach the safe use of tools and
equipment and insist on good practice.
Children will be taught to return tools to the toolbox or toolboard when
not in use.
Craft
knives and rotary cutters must only be used by responsible year 6 children
under direct supervision.
Food – hygiene and safety - Food will be bought and
used on the day it is needed. Before undertaking a food technology activity a
letter will be sent to parents outlining the activity and requesting
information about allergies/illnesses etc which could influence the child’s
ability to take part. The class teacher/classroom assistant will check that
cupboards, tabletops, cooker etc. are clean and in working order. Plastic aprons will be worn by adults and
children when working with food. Adults
and children will always follow the preparation and cleaning routine that is
displayed in the food area.
4. Parent helpers /classroom assistants
·
need to be aware of all the health and safety issues
relating to an activity when supporting pupils
·
the teacher will need to decide the most appropriate way to
organise the use of the helper/CA
·
need to be aware that when pupils are involved in a design
and make activity (DMA) they need to be allowed to make decision and undertake
practical work without unnecessary adult intervention.
5. Role of the co-ordinator
The co-ordinator will:
·
read the development of design and technology in the school
·
provide guidance to individual members of staff
·
keep up to date with local and national developments in
design and technology and disseminate relevant information
·
lead one staff meeting per year on agreement trailing and
one meeting updating staff on new tools, materials etc. (dependent on school
development plan)
·
review and monitor the success and progress of the planned
units of work
·
order stock linked to the planned units of work at the end
of each term
·
be responsible for the organisation and maintenance of
design and technology resources
·
monitor and evaluate standards in the subject. This will be
conducted in line with the school’s agreed policy on monitoring and evaluation
and will include: reviewing teachers’ planning, collecting samples of
children’s designing and making from each unit of work (see above); conducting
agreement trialling once a year; comparing children’s work to national
exemplification materials, observing
teaching.
Approved by Governing Body:
Review Date: May 2008