Kingsway Primary School

Kingsway Primary School

Design Technology (DT)

Intent

Why our Design and Technology curriculum looks the way it does…

At Kingsway we want every pupil to gain an insight into the functioning world around us. We offer a curriculum that develops pupil’s creative, technical and practical knowledge through a range of inspiring, rigorous and practical projects. Within these projects, pupils are guided and encouraged to draw on a range of other knowledge such as mathematics, science, computing etc. to create innovative products to solve real and relevant problems.

Our Aims

  • Develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world
  • Build and apply a repertoire of knowledge, understanding and skills in order to design and make high-quality prototypes and products for a wide range of users
  • Critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products and the work of others
  • Understand and apply the principles of nutrition and learn how to cook
  • Prepare children with the cumulative knowledge and skills required for future learning and employment

All children shall benefit – Every Child, Every Chance, Every Day.

Implementation

Design and Technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. As designers and problem solvers, we encourage children to be creative and innovative when designing and making products - ensuring these are made to solve real and relevant problems for a variety of contexts. Therefore, this subject links naturally into much of the ‘Innovate stage’ of the Cornerstones curriculum. This allows us to integrate the practise of a range of technical knowledge, understanding and skills throughout our themes before offering the children the opportunity to apply these aspects into a real-life project with a purpose and evaluation.

Pupils are given real and relevant problems to solve through the use of design and technology, integrating classroom learning with the worlds of industry. This allows pupils to see problems in a variety of contexts with a range of different customer needs, wants and values. Through linking these projects to the world of industry, children are given the cultural capital needed for future employment. These curriculum links to a range of careers are assessed as part of our 'Careers Mark Award'. To read more about how we integrate future employment into our curriculum click here.

Our projects are sequenced in a way to ensure a progression of knowledge, skills and vocabulary.  Each project is coherently planned to follow the systematic approach of: market research, design, make, evaluate. Where possible, projects include a clear link to a previous technological skill to ensure continuity and progression. This also offers pupils the opportunity to repeat all technological skills, which will aid their retention.  

Please click on the documents listed below to access the curriculum coverage, which shows how each project develops on a previously taught skill, and progression document.

Please click on the documents listed below to access the curriculum coverage, which shows how each project develops on a previously taught skill, and progression document..

To ensure our curriculum is accessible to all learners, we ensure a multi-sensory approach throughout Design and Technology. Pictorial representations are added to key vocabulary and kinaesthetic approaches are used where appropriate. When recording designs and evaluations, alternatives to written recordings are offered such as Chatta, video, mind maps, drawing etc. Additional adults are strategically used to best support all children, using questioning, guidance and supervision to promote independence safely. Please click here to access some examples of the pictorial representations we use.