DT/Food Tech

Walton Priory > School Life > Curriculum > STEAM > DT/Food Tech

In DT/Food Tech our aim is to allow students to utilise and futureproof our school values by adapting to the ever-changing environment. They will flourish in our innovative, ever-changing, broad and enriched STEAM curriculum that provides students with aspirations, knowledge and skills to thrive in the modern world.

Learning Journey & Subject Handbook

Throughout KS2 and KS3 pupils use a wide range of materials to design and make products. In all project pupils will work out their ideas, considering how products will be used, who will use them, joining techniques to construct the product, mechanisms used and their appearance.

They will develop their understanding of designing and making and expand their practical skills. They will use a range of hand tools and machinery in the products construction, focusing on health and safety with risk assessment. The main aim of our project booklets is to develop pupils understanding of designing and manufacture process (Design, Make, Evaluate and Technical Knowledge).

Typical projects include designing and making a small trinket box to hold a variety of objects. The trinket box will be made from Pine, MDF and a range of veneers. The construction of the box will use finger joints and use an Art Deco style pattern on the top. Designing and making a wooden game for children aged between 5 to 10 years old. All pupils will manufacture a standard frame and use a range of different materials to construct the details of the game within the confines of the frame.

Pupils will also design a structure that will span a gap of 300mm. The design could be based on a suspension bridge, cable stay, a girder bridge or a completely new design. Pupils must produce a range of different bridge designs that could be used and to construct a final design themselves that includes wooden members and corner gussets. The final structure will be tested to destruction!

Please click here to view the DT/Food Tech Handbook.

To view our DT Learning Journey please click here and for Food Tech click here.

STEAM in Action

The Design and Technology department at Walton Priory Middle School is dedicated to providing an inclusive curriculum that offers students the widest range of opportunities. The department is adamant that students learn best by “doing” and that they learn best when they are allowed to experiment and take design risks in a supportive and safe learning environment.

Our top priority is to help students become problem solvers who don’t mind making mistakes. Additionally, we want to forge strong connections across the curriculum with subjects like Maths, science, technology, engineering, and art. Design and Technology courses should provide students with the opportunities, responsibilities, and experiences they will need to succeed in the future.

Assessment

Formative assessment

In both DT and Food Technology, students complete a project booklet throughout the creation of their product. At various stages of the project, students document their design thinking, sketch initial concepts, annotate changes made, and reflect on challenges faced. Teachers regularly review and provide feedback in these booklets, offering constructive comments that guide students in refining their ideas, making improvements, and considering alternative solutions. This ongoing dialogue between the teacher and student supports a continuous improvement mindset, allowing students to learn from their design decisions and make informed adjustments as they progress through the project.

Summative assessment

In both DT and Food Technology summative assessment revolve around students presenting their final design projects to the class. This showcase allows students to exhibit the culmination of their skills, from concept to final product. In addition to the physical prototype or dish, students are required to explain their design choices, demonstrate functionality, and discuss the problem-solving processes they employed. The assessment considers not only the aesthetics of the final product but also the thoughtfulness and innovation applied throughout the design journey. This evaluation provides a holistic view of the students’ proficiency in design thinking, technical skills, and their ability to communicate and defend their choices.

Get in Touch

Please contact the school office with any questions, comments or feedback.