The purpose of education is to develop well-rounded, knowledgeable individuals who are prepared to contribute meaningfully to society. Design and Technology (DT) at Telscombe Cliffs Academy supports this aim by introducing pupils to the big ideas of the subject where they will learn critically evaluate the impact of technologies and products on daily life and the wider world, fostering a sense of responsibility and stewardship toward the environment and society. This approach demands that 'pupils develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world.' (Department for Education, 2013).
A core aspect of the curriculum is to provide pupils contexts from which they need to apply their learning from other disciplines. Pupils should be drawing from disciplines such as mathematics, science, computing, and art while considering how this knowledge can be incorporated into the big ideas of DT: Knowledge of materials, manufacturing, functionality, design and critique. The fusion of these disciplines must be considered through the contexts of their own and others' needs, wants, and values so that they can successfully generate, develop, and communicate design ideas, evaluate their own work and that of others, and understand the principles of nutrition and healthy eating.
Aspirational in content, the curriculum aligns with the English National Curriculum and the Early Years Foundation Stage Framework. The skills learned are invaluable not only for academic success but also for personal growth in an ever-increasing technological world.