D+T

INFORMED   INDEPENDENT INVESTED   INDIVIDUAL

Design and Technology at Ilketshall  

INFORMED

At Ilketshall our DT work is very hands-on and practical in its approach. It teaches children new skills and builds an understanding of how to work with different materials to achieve a desired outcome.  We also look at the work of different engineers and architects who have created amazing structures and designs and this helps children to view the world with new eyes as they begin analysing the everyday objects around them. We try to use as many real life examples as possible as this really gives something the children can relate to and gain inspiration from. 

INDEPENDENT

DT inspires children to be creative and tests their resilience. From the design phase through construction to the final evaluation task, we teach children to overcome challenges, think of ways around problems and to be resilient when things don’t work the first time. At Ilketshall, we encourage children to be critical thinkers, to persevere and achieve rather than give up. The structure of our DT work means lessons are taught as a set of steps that develops and teaches new skills that all lead to the intended finished result. Children can then evaluate these learning steps, thinking about what worked well and what they might change next time to make it work even better. This gives children an opportunity to evaluate their own independent experience of their learning.    

INVESTED

Our DT lessons not only seek to develop and teach the desired skills and techniques, they also allow every child the opportunity to follow their ideas and challenge their own thinking. This creates a buzz of excitement and curiosity. We allow children time to work through each level of the process of construction and we guide children rather than instruct them on how to work through challenges. Children are excited by their projects and proud to share the results with others both in and outside of school. It forms the first step into projects they may look to develop in their future!

INDIVIDUAL

Similar to Art, DT work gives every child the chance to be unique in their ideas and project work. It promotes value in difference and it encourages children to be brave and confident in trying new things and testing their ideas. It also teaches responsibility and awareness of others as many of the tools and techniques used are new and thus require an understanding of risk and safety. We have high expectations in terms of behaviour and responsibility when working in this subject area and as a result children rise to the challenge and enjoy this added respect.