Design and Technology  

Why is Design & Technology important?

Design and Technology gives children the opportunity to develop skill, knowledge and understanding of designing and making functional products. Using creativity and imagination, pupils design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. Design and Technology also includes learning the valuable principals of nutrition and how to cook. Ultimately, children learn how to take risks, become resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens, whilst utilising a range of communicative skills to express and present their designs. 

Our vision for Design & Technology - Our Curriculum Intent

Our Design & Technology curriculum aims to inspire pupils to be innovative and creative thinkers who have an appreciation for the product design cycle through design, 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 the Kapow 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 technological advancements.

Our Design and Technology curriculum 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 units provide opportunities for pupils to work towards the Development matters statements and the Early Learning Goals.  

What does Design & Technology look like at Paddocks? - Our Curriculum Implementation

Our curriculum from Kapow, follows the three main stages of the design process: design, make and evaluate. Each stage is underpinned by technical knowledge which the pupils gain through research and design through making activities. The cooking and nutrition units have a separate section, with a focus on specific principles, skills and techniques in food, including where food comes from, diet and seasonal produce. 

At Paddocks we feel it is vital to nurture creativity and innovation through design by exploring the designed and made world in which we all live and work. All pupils, from Early Years to Year 6, participate in engaging, purposeful and rich Design and Technology lessons. Children are encouraged to design, construct and evaluate existing products and their own models according to a brief. The level of design criteria, practical skills required and the evaluative process used progresses as the children move through the school. Through the units taught they will develop knowledge and skills in six main areas: mechanisms, structures, textiles, food, electrical systems and the digital world. 

What do our pupils think? - Our Curriculum Impact

‘I really enjoy making things!’

'Making the flip-flops was great fun.  I really enjoyed trying them on.'

Progression