Intent

At St Stephen's C of E Primary School, we believe every child should become a confident designer, innovative problem solver and reflective learner with a love of designing and making. Through our Design and Technology curriculum, pupils develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to design purposeful products, solve real-life problems and understand how design shapes the world around them.

We follow the Kapow Primary Design and Technology scheme, providing a carefully sequenced curriculum that meets the requirements of the National Curriculum and builds knowledge and skills progressively from EYFS to Year 6.

Our curriculum develops understanding across the key areas of:

• Design

• Make

• Evaluate

• Technical knowledge

• Cooking and nutrition

Pupils explore structures, mechanisms, textiles, electrical systems, digital technologies, and cooking and nutrition while developing creativity, resilience and practical problem-solving skills. Through purposeful design challenges, children investigate existing products, consider the needs of users and apply technical knowledge to create innovative solutions.

Implementation

Curriculum Progression

Our curriculum is carefully sequenced so that pupils revisit the key disciplines of structures, mechanisms, textiles, electrical systems, digital technologies and cooking throughout their time at St Stephen's. Each unit builds on prior learning through a spiral curriculum, enabling children to deepen their understanding, refine practical skills and become increasingly confident designers and makers.

In the Early Years, children explore materials, construction, joining techniques and simple evaluation through practical play and continuous provision. In Key Stage 1, pupils develop confidence in designing, making and evaluating products such as windmills, puppets, smoothies and moving mechanisms while learning to use tools safely and accurately. By Key Stage 2, pupils undertake more complex projects involving electrical systems, digital technology, textiles, food technology, structures and mechanical systems, applying their growing technical knowledge to solve increasingly sophisticated design problems.

Across all year groups, pupils follow the design process of design, make and evaluate. They investigate existing products, develop and refine ideas, test prototypes and evaluate outcomes, gaining an understanding of how designers, engineers, architects and chefs improve everyday life.

Key Concepts

Learning is centred on creativity, innovation and problem solving. Pupils investigate, design, make and evaluate products for real purposes and intended users. They develop technical knowledge, select appropriate materials and tools, build resilience by testing and improving prototypes, and use increasingly sophisticated technical vocabulary to explain and evaluate their work.

Cross-Curricular Links

Design and Technology enhances learning across the wider curriculum through meaningful links with science, computing, mathematics, art, geography and history. Pupils apply mathematical skills through measuring and accuracy, scientific understanding through forces, materials and electricity, and computing through programming and digital design. Cooking and nutrition promote healthy lifestyles and develop an understanding of where food comes from.

Impact

By the end of Year 6, pupils are confident, creative and reflective designers who understand the importance of innovation, functionality and purposeful design. They leave St Stephen's equipped with the knowledge, practical skills and confidence to continue their Design and Technology learning at secondary school and beyond.

Our pupils will:

• Design innovative products that meet a clear purpose and user need

• Select and use appropriate materials, tools and equipment safely and accurately

• Apply technical knowledge across structures, mechanisms, textiles, electrical systems and digital technologies

• Prepare and cook a range of dishes while understanding the principles of healthy eating and nutrition

• Evaluate, refine and communicate their ideas using appropriate technical vocabulary

Assessment is continuous throughout each unit through practical outcomes, design work, pupil discussion and teacher assessment. Clear progression from Reception to Year 6 ensures every child develops secure knowledge, technical understanding and practical skills before moving on to increasingly challenging design opportunities.