Plaistow Hill Primary and Nursery School

Plaistow Hill Infant and Primary School

Everyday my daughter is very eager to tell me what she has learnt and is always excited to be going to school

Year 2 Parent

  • "Staff are kind, calm and encouraging - Ofsted, April 2022"
  • "Children flourish in an environment of genuine warmth and care - Ofsted, April 2022"
  • "Pupils in Key Stage 1 are confident, listen to each other, share and take turns - Ofsted, April 2022"
  • "Parents and carers praise the work of the school - Ofsted, April 2022"
  • "One parent expressed the view of many with the comment 'the atmosphere and attitude of all the staff is incredible' - Ofsted, April 2022"
  • "The outdoor learning environment is used effectively to help children co-operate with each other and practise their number knowledge and skills - Ofsted, April 2022"
  • "Pupils are happy at Plaistow Hill Infant and Nursery School - Ofsted, April 2022"
Life at Plaistow Hill Primary and Nursery School Life at Plaistow Hill Primary and Nursery School Life at Plaistow Hill Primary and Nursery School Life at Plaistow Hill Primary and Nursery School Life at Plaistow Hill Primary and Nursery School

 

Design and Technology

Intent: Why do we teach what we teach?

Substantive Knowledge

  • Mastery of Core Content: Pupils develop a solid understanding of structures, mechanisms, materials, and programming through clear, step-by-step learning and regular review of key ideas.
  • Practical Skills: Pupils are taught essential skills such as cutting, shaping, joining, and finishing, with plenty of practice to build their confidence and ability.
  • Cross-Subject Links: Design & Technology lessons connect with other subjects like Science, Maths, History, Computing, and Art. This helps pupils apply what they learn in different areas.

Disciplinary Knowledge

  • Design Process: Pupils learn the design process, which involves creating, testing, and improving their ideas. This process is taught from early years to older classes.
  • Seeing Themselves as Designers: Pupils are encouraged to see themselves as designers and engineers. They learn to create products that meet specific needs, using all their knowledge.
  • Design Thinking: Pupils are taught how to come up with ideas, plan designs, and understand the needs of the people who will use their products.

Curiosity and Excitement

  • Learning from Designers: Pupils explore the work of many designers from different times and places, helping them see the diversity in the field.
  • Building Character: Pupils learn about the challenges designers face and how qualities like resilience and creativity help them succeed.
  • Impact of Design & Technology: Pupils learn how design and technology contribute to culture, wealth, and well-being, and the new opportunities created by advances in technology.

Design & Technology is taught in six-lesson units, once a term, alternating with Art. The curriculum is carefully planned to make connections between subjects and consider the needs of our pupils and community.

 

Implementation: What do we teach and when?

  • Building on What They Know: Each unit builds on what pupils have already learned, helping them understand new ideas s better.
  • Connecting Lessons: Lessons are designed to link different concepts, making learning more cohesive and meaningful.
  • Teaching Skills: Skills are taught in a clear, step-by-step way and revisited regularly to ensure pupils get plenty of practice.
  • Extended Writing: Pupils are given opportunities to write about their designs and processes, helping them think and communicate like technologists.
  • Connecting Lessons: Lessons are designed to link different concepts, making learning more cohesive and meaningful.
  • Teaching Skills: Skills are taught in a clear, step-by-step way and revisited regularly to ensure pupils get plenty of practice.
  • Extended Writing: Pupils are given opportunities to write about their designs and processes, helping them think and communicate like technologists.

 

 

Impact: How children show that they know and remember more

  • Books and Conversations: Teachers assess pupils' understanding by discussing their work and reviewing their design books. This helps check if they understand key ideas and can connect them to previous learning.
  • In-Lesson Checks: Formative assessments are built into lessons. Teachers adjust their teaching to address any misconceptions and ensure pupils keep up.
  • End-of-Unit Quizzes: Low-stakes quizzes at the end of units help assess whether pupils have learned the core knowledge. Teachers use these results to address any gaps before moving on.

Our Design & Technology curriculum aims to inspire and equip pupils with the skills and knowledge they need to become confident, creative problem solvers.