Technology

Curriculum Overview

Technology is vital for our students because it ties directly into our school ethos of improving employment opportunities for young people with SEND. 

The key skills, concepts, knowledge and understanding that we aim to promote within the Technology curriculum that we offer are:-

• employability skills
• independent skills
• workplace simulation
• the chance to work as a team

How does Design Technology fit into the Rumworth Curriculum?

Technology lessons allow the children to explore, design, make all whilst fostering a creative input at all times. Technology is one of the core offers in the school that can lead to independence and employability skills. The technology curriculum throughout the school prepares appropriate learners for a chance to complete work simulation/ experience in the bistro. The aim of the technology curriculum is to build cultural capital for learners to enable relevant preparation for the world around them via potential employment or an independent lifestyle.

Curriculum Strands

Pre-formal Strand

Within this strand, Technology is designed to be incorporated into the “Creativity” activities that students would experience. The Technology offer for students working in the Pre-formal Strand would be largely based around opportunities for self-expression, whilst promoting communication and interaction with others. Students would experience making small technology related items using a range of materials through a carousel of resistant materials, textiles and food technology.

Semi-formal Strand

Within this strand, Technology is delivered to classes at KS3 and KS4 as a discrete curriculum subject. The Technology offer for students working in the Semi-formal Strand has a heavy emphasis on self-expression. It is designed to encourage students to experience and participate in a range of individual and group activities, whilst trying out a wide range of technology related disciplines. Some students may progress to developing their own individual unassisted work in technology. Where appropriate and applicable, students may take external accreditation in Technology at KS4 and there may be the opportunity for students to continue to study Technology at KS5.

Formal Strand

Within this strand, Technology is delivered to classes at KS3 as a discrete curriculum subject. The Technology offer for students working in the Formal Strand also has a heavy emphasis on self-expression. It is designed to encourage students to experience and participate in different disciplines of technology whilst fostering independence.Pupils in the formal strand will be able to create products in each discipline of technology and will show great potential to be able to work in a professional setting such as the bistro or school canteen. Students can opt to take external accreditation in Technology at KS4 and they can opt to continue to study Technology in KS5.

Feedback and Assessment

Feedback is given verbally by teachers and TAs to students during all learning activities, because immediate verbal feedback is the best way to help our students to progress. Students also have the opportunity to share their views about their own work in Technology, and that of their peers. This is done in a variety of ways, dependent upon the ability of the students. Student attainment in technology is recorded through the Technology Assessment Framework. Student progress is determined using our 100 Steps to Progress, and through external accreditation measures at KS4 and KS5, where relevant. The Assessment Framework is a tool to assess progress across all technology disciplines, it is designed to be a universal tool of progress which ensures that skills are recorded throughout the year in a valid way.

External Accreditation

This is offered as:-

• Level 1 NCFE Creative Craft
• Entry 3 NCFE Creative Craft 
• Level 1 BTEC Home Cooking Skills 
• Level 2 BTEC Home Cooking skills 
• Open Awards DT/Craft