High- quality design and technology education makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of the nation" 

The National Curriculum

Intent 

Implementation                          

The Design Technology National Curriculum and EYFS is planned for and covered in full within the EYFS, KS1 and KS2 school curriculum. Whilst the EYFS and National Curriculum forms the foundation of our curriculum, we make sure that children learn additional skills, have a depth and breadth of knowledge and understanding and enhance our curriculum as and when necessary.

During the Early Years Foundation Stage, the essential building blocks of children’s design and technology capability are established. There are many opportunities for carrying out D&T-related play activities in all areas of learning. Initially children investigate, explore and have a go.

As time goes on they are expected to be more active learners and keep going when they encounter difficulty, until they are developing their own ideas and thinking critically. Specifically, ‘Designing and Making’ is identified and assessed as a strand within Expressive Art and Design and links closely to Art.  By the end of the EYFS, most children should be able to:

Construct with a purpose in mind, using a variety of resources

Use simple tools and techniques competently and appropriately

Build and construct with a wide range of objects, selecting appropriate resources and adapting their  work when necessary.

Select the tools and techniques they need to shape, assemble and join materials they are using.

For pupils in Key Stage One and Key Stage Two, we have chosen to teach DT by using the Kapow scheme of work. Kapow is a clear and comprehensive scheme of work in line with the National Curriculum. This ensures there is a progression of skills and consistency of approach across the school whilst also ensuring  that teachers  and pupils are supported in developing skills and subject knowledge.

 Kapow offers full coverage of the KS1 and KS2 Design & Technology curriculum and we have  categorised our content into six areas: 1) Structures 2) Mechanisms 3)Electrical Systems  4) Cooking and Nutrition  5)Textiles 6) Digital World

There are then 4 strands that run through each topic :Design, Make, Evaluate & Technical Knowledge

A range of skills will be taught ensuring that children are aware of health and safety issues related to the tasks undertaken

Clear and appropriate cross-curricular links underpin learning in multi areas across the curriculum giving the children opportunities to learn life skills and apply skills to ‘hands on’ situations in a purposeful context.

Independent learning: In design technology children may well be asked to solve problems and   develop their learning independently. This allows the children to have ownership over their  curriculum and lead their own learning in Design Technology.

 Collaborative learning: In design and technology children may well be asked to work as part of a team learning to support and help one another towards a challenging, yet rewarding goal.

"Design is a funny word. Some people think design means how it looks. But of course, if you look deeper, it's really how it works." 

– Steve Jobs

Impact                                    

Our carefully structured DT curriculum provides opportunities additional to the National Curriculum endpoints, to build cultural capital and, through exposure in DT lessons to life-skills such as innovation and entrepreneurship.

Children at St Saviours will have clear enjoyment and confidence in design and technology that they will then apply to other areas of the curriculum.

Our children will ultimately know more, remember more and understand more about Design Technology, demonstrating this knowledge when using tools or skills in other areas of the curriculum and in opportunities out of school. As designers, children will develop skills and attributes they can use beyond school and into adulthood.

DT Whole School Curriculum Overview