KS3/4 Design Technology
Design Technology contains key skills that are needed for use in everyday life. Broadfield encourage students to develop problem solving, perseverance, independence and life skills via the engagement of Design Technology.
Intent
Design and Technology prepares students to take part in the development of tomorrow’s rapidly changing world. The subject encourages students to become risk takers and creative problem solvers, both as individuals and as part of a team. It enables them to identify needs and opportunities and respond by developing ideas and eventually making products. Through the study of Design Technology they combine practical skills with an understanding of aesthetic, social and environmental needs. This allows them to reflect on, and evaluate, past and present design and technology, its uses and impact. Design Technology helps all students become discriminating and potential innovators.
The Objectives of Design Technology:
– To develop imaginative thinking in students to enable them to talk about what they like and dislike when designing and producing.
-To enable students to talk about how things work, and to plan and model their ideas.
-To encourage students to select appropriate tools and techniques for making a product and to use safe procedures.
-To develop an understanding of technological processes, products, their manufacture and contribution to society.
– To learn about the role design technology has in the workplace and careers in Design Technology.
– To ensure students have opportunities to attain some form accreditation for their work in Design Technology.
-To foster enjoyment and satisfaction in designing and making.
Implementation
In all classes there are students of differing abilities. We recognise this and provide suitable learning opportunities for all, matching the challenge of the task to the ability of the student. We achieve this through a range of strategies:
– Setting common tasks that are open ended and have a variety of results.
– Grouping students in ability groups and setting differentiated tasks for each group.
– Providing a range of challenges through the provision of different resources.
– Using teaching assistants to support the work of individuals or small groups
– Following a curriculum path that allows planning to develop in stages of ability
Complex needs classes follow a creative, sensory curriculum. The sensory curriculum is essentially a cross curricular topic based approach which can be adapted to suit the additional and different needs of our students. These classes experience Design Technology as a means to develop Speaking, Listening and Self Expression skills. PLTS, motor, sensory skills and creative expression. Students have opportunities to experience Design Technology through a mixture of whole class, group and individual activities.
We provide resources that are appropriate to the requirements and needs of the students in order to carry out any Design Technology projects to their full potential. Broadfield have a Design Technology workshop with specialist materials and machines that are accessible to the students under the supervision of trained staff.
Students work is assessed via observation and marking of work in accordance with EHCP outcomes, BSquared individual targets and exam board specifications. Teachers use progress judgements against the learning objectives and the success criteria for the lesson. Feedback is given to the students during lessons which allows them to develop and progress in future tasks. Students build upon skills each year and the subject lead keeps track of data progress for every group. An annual progress assessment is made for each student and feedback to parents as part of the school report.
Students evaluate both their own work and that of their peers. This helps them to appreciate their successes and areas for development and take ownership of their learning.
Impact
At Broadfield each student is given the platform to explore the world of Design Technology. Design Technology allows students to develop key skills and knowledge of resistant materials. This ensures they are learning skills and strategies that maximise the potential for their future.
Students interact with Design Technology daily and through their learning they are encouraged to develop their problem solving, perseverance and life skills and make links to its prominence in everyday life.
Every student has a voice at Broadfield Specialist School.