It is the Levett School’s intention through the DT curriculum, that pupils are inspired by engineers, designers, chefs and architects to enable them to create a range of structures, mechanisms, textiles, electrical systems and food products with a real life purpose.
The Levett School’s study of DT is routed in the school’s fundamental core values; positivity, determination, integrity and reflection so that what is delivered within lessons has a clear link to current day-to-day life, locally and nationally.
As an inspiring and practical subject, it is our intent to prepare pupils to deal with an ever-changing technological world, encouraging them to become creative and resourceful problem solvers, working both independently and as members of a team.
We teach a broad and breadth DT scheme of work focusing on skill and knowledge progression. This ensures that skills and knowledge are built on year by year and sequenced appropriately to maximise learning for all pupils. All teaching of DT follows the design, make and evaluate cycle. Each stage should be rooted in technical knowledge. The design process should be rooted in real life, using relevant contexts to give meaning to learning.
Whilst in the making stage, pupils are given choice and a range of tools, allowing them to become risk takers and innovators. Pupils are encouraged to integrate the use of ICT, as this will allow them to create effective, constructed and aesthetically pleasing results. This, along with developing an understanding on the importance of evaluation, allows pupils to adapt and improve their work, providing them with not only a sense of achievement but also a strong foundation for the next step of their learning and a key skill for life evidenced through discussing their products using technical vocabulary confidently.
DT is taught to a high standard, where each of the stages are given equal weight and evidence of each of these areas are clearly identified within our DT books, on display or through pupil voice.
Food technology is a big focus of our DT curriculum and we have a purpose-built kitchen at the Upper Site and a dedicated room at the Lower site. When possible, we provide additional cooking experiences for pupils who need a more bespoke package. In all lessons, the pupils are encouraged to cook nutritious food from scratch, setting them up for a healthy future beyond the classroom. Cooking is a great way to reengage our disengaged learners.
By the time the pupils reach milestones Key Stages at our school they should have developed:
