Design Technology (DT) is a rigorous, practical and inspiring subject.

Westwood with Iford’s broad and balanced curriculum provides children the opportunity to learn about the application of DT in the wider community, helping them understanding the relevant problems within occupations such as chefs, architects, designers and engineers.

Children are given opportunities to be curious about historical and cultural inventors and inventions; ask questions that have context in the present day; acquire new knowledge and develop skills which then provide the confidence to be persistent in their own innovations and to become more reflective in their evaluations of their own designs.

Intent – what does the Design and Technology curriculum intend to do?

At Westwood with Iford, we follow the Kapow Primary scheme. The Design and technology scheme of work aims to inspire pupils to be innovative and creative thinkers who have an appreciation for the product design cycle through ideation, creation, and evaluation. We want pupils to develop the confidence to take risks, through drafting design concepts, modelling, and testing and to be reflective learners who evaluate their work and the work of others. Through our scheme of work, we aim to build an awareness of the impact of design and technology on our lives and encourage pupils to become resourceful, enterprising citizens who will have the skills to contribute to future design advancements. Our Design and technology scheme of work enables pupils to meet the end of key stage attainment targets in the National curriculum and the aims also align with those in the National curriculum. EYFS (Reception) units provide opportunities for pupils to work towards the Development matters statements and the Early Learning Goals.

Implementation – how is the curriculum implemented?

The Design and technology National curriculum outline 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 have a separate section, with a focus on specific principles, skills and techniques in food, including where food comes from, diet and seasonality.

The National curriculum organises the Design and technology attainment targets under four subheadings: Design, Make, Evaluate, and technical knowledge.

The Kapow Primary scheme is a spiral curriculum, with key areas revisited again and again with increasing complexity, allowing pupils to revisit and build on their previous learning. 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. Strong subject knowledge is vital for staff to be able to deliver a highly effective and robust Design and technology curriculum. Each unit of lessons includes multiple teacher videos to develop subject knowledge and support ongoing CPD.

Impact – what progress will children make?

The impact of Kapow Primary’s scheme can be 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. After the implementation of Kapow Primary Design and technology, pupils should leave school equipped with a range of skills to enable them to succeed in their secondary education and be innovative and resourceful members of society.

The expected impact of following the Kapow Primary Design and technology scheme of work is that children will:

· Understand the functional and aesthetic properties of a range of materials and resources.

· Understand how to use and combine tools to carry out different processes for shaping, decorating, and manufacturing products.

· Build and apply a repertoire of skills, knowledge and understanding to produce high quality, innovative outcomes, including models, prototypes, CAD, and products to fulfil the needs of users, clients, and scenarios.

· Understand and apply the principles of healthy eating, diets, and recipes, including key processes, food groups and cooking equipment.

· Have an appreciation for key individuals, inventions, and events in history and of today that impact our world.

· Recognise where our decisions can impact the wider world in terms of community, social and environmental issues.

· Self-evaluate and reflect on learning at different stages and identify areas to improve.

· Meet the end of key stage expectations outlined in the National curriculum for Design and technology.