Design and Technology
Intent
At St William of York Catholic Primary School, the intent of our Design and Technology curriculum is to foster creative thinking, problem-solving skills, and hands-on exploration. We aim to empower our students to become proficient designers and makers, equipped with the knowledge and skills to tackle real-world challenges. By engaging in Design and Technology, our students will develop a deep understanding of design processes, materials, and technologies, enabling them to innovate and contribute to society.
The Design and technology National curriculum outlines the three main stages of the design process: design, make and evaluate. Each stage of the design process is underpinned by technical knowledge which encompasses the contextual, historical, and technical understanding required for each strand. Cooking and nutrition has a separate section, with a focus on specific principles, skills and techniques in food, including where food comes from, diet and seasonality.
Implementation
The Design and technology curriculum at St William of York Catholic Primary School has been designed to cover all the skills set out in the National Curriculum. Design and technology is taught termly using the scheme of work ‘Kapow’. Alongside the coordinator, class teachers have carefully picked topics that cover the National Curriculum, suit the needs of their class and link to class topics, where possible, to ensure a well-structured approach to this creative subject. Design and Technology at St William of York is currently taught as a stand- alone topic across KS1 & KS2 and an allocated DT week during each half term is taught. Within the EYFS design and technology is embedded into continuous provision and children have access daily. Units of lessons are sequential; allowing children to build their skills and knowledge, applying them to a range of outcomes. The formal elements, a key part to the national curriculum, are also woven throughout the units. Key skills are repeated with increasing complexity, in a spiral curriculum model. This allows pupils to revise and build on their previous learning.
Through Kapow Primary’s Design and technology scheme, pupils respond to design briefs and scenarios that require consideration of the needs of others, developing their skills in the six key areas. Each of the key areas follows the design process (design, make and evaluate) and has a particular theme and focus from the technical knowledge or cooking and nutrition section of the curriculum. Lessons incorporate a range of teaching strategies from independent tasks, paired and group work including practical hands-on, computer-based and inventive tasks. This variety means that lessons are engaging and appeal to those with a variety of learning styles. Differentiated guidance is available for every lesson to ensure that lessons can be accessed by all pupils and opportunities to stretch pupils’ learning are available when required. Knowledge organisers for each unit support pupils in building a foundation of factual knowledge by encouraging recall of key facts and vocabulary.
Impact
The impact of our Design and technology curriculum is constantly monitored through both formative and summative assessment opportunities. Each lesson includes guidance to support teachers in assessing pupils against the learning objectives. Furthermore, each unit has a unit quiz and knowledge catcher which can be used at the start and/ or end of the unit. Through our Design and Technology curriculum, our primary school aims to instil in students a comprehensive understanding of the functional and aesthetic properties of a diverse range of materials and resources. They will learn how different materials can be used and combined, as well as the various tools and processes involved in shaping, decorating, and manufacturing products. By building and applying a repertoire of skills, knowledge, and understanding, students will be able to produce high-quality, innovative outcomes, including models, prototypes, and products that meet the needs of users, clients, and scenarios.
In addition to practical skills, our curriculum will also emphasise the importance of healthy eating, diets, and recipes. Students will understand key processes, food groups, and cooking equipment, promoting a well-rounded understanding of nutrition and culinary practices. Furthermore, our students will develop an appreciation for significant individuals, inventions, and events in history and their impact on our world, fostering a sense of historical and contextual awareness.We believe it is essential for students to recognize the potential impact of their decisions on the wider world, encompassing community, social, and environmental issues. By exploring real-life scenarios and considering the consequences of their choices, students will develop a sense of responsibility and a commitment to making positive contributions to society. Our curriculum will also encourage self-evaluation and reflection at different stages of the design process, allowing students to identify areas for improvement and personal growth. By fostering a growth mindset and reflective practice, students will become more resilient, adaptable, and open to learning from their experiences.Ultimately, our Design and Technology curriculum aims to ensure that students meet the end-of-key-stage expectations outlined in the National Curriculum for Design and Technology and Computing. By equipping our students with a strong foundation in these subjects, we are preparing them for future academic and professional pursuits, as well as empowering them with the knowledge and skills necessary to navigate an increasingly technology-driven world.