Design Technology

INTENT:

The intention of our Design and Technology curriculum is to inspire pupils to become creative, innovative and resilient learners who develop the knowledge, skills and understanding to design, make and evaluate purposeful products that solve real and relevant problems. Through high-quality Design and Technology lessons, pupils combine creativity with practical application, drawing upon knowledge from a range of disciplines including engineering, mathematics, science, computing and art.

Rooted in our mission statement, ‘Love like Jesus, Learn like Jesus, Live like Jesus,’ our curriculum promotes collaboration, perseverance and respect by encouraging pupils to use their God-given talents to design solutions that improve the lives of others. Pupils learn to work cooperatively, value different ideas and develop resilience by recognising that refining and improving designs is an essential part of the design process.

Our curriculum is fully aligned with the National Curriculum for Design and Technology. In Key Stage 1, pupils develop the knowledge and skills to design, make and evaluate purposeful products, explore mechanisms and structures, and begin to understand healthy eating through food technology. In Key Stage 2, pupils apply an increasingly secure understanding of mechanical systems, electrical systems, structures, textiles and cooking and nutrition. They learn to undertake research, generate innovative ideas, select appropriate materials and tools, evaluate products against design criteria and understand the work of influential designers, engineers, inventors and architects. Knowledge and skills are carefully sequenced to ensure progression and enable pupils to build on prior learning with increasing independence and confidence.

We recognise that pupils join us with a range of prior experiences and starting points. Our curriculum is designed to provide equitable access to ambitious learning through explicit teaching of technical vocabulary, practical problem-solving opportunities and meaningful design challenges. This enables all pupils to develop creativity, critical thinking, resilience and the practical skills required to become confident designers and makers.

IMPLEMENTATION:

Teachers deliver a coherently planned and progressively sequenced curriculum with high expectations for all pupils. Learning develops both substantive knowledge and disciplinary skills through the iterative design process of researching, designing, making and evaluating. Pupils are encouraged to take risks, solve problems creatively and reflect critically on how products can be improved.

Subject-specific vocabulary is explicitly taught and revisited to enable pupils to discuss design decisions, justify material choices and evaluate products using accurate technical language. Teachers use modelling, questioning and ongoing formative assessment to identify misconceptions and adapt learning, ensuring that every pupil is appropriately supported and challenged to achieve success.

Practical experiences are central to the curriculum. Pupils develop confidence in using a wide range of tools, materials and equipment safely and accurately whilst applying knowledge from other curriculum subjects to purposeful design tasks. Cooking and nutrition are embedded throughout the curriculum, enabling pupils to develop an understanding of healthy eating and prepare simple, increasingly complex dishes safely and hygienically.

Learning is enriched through purposeful cross-curricular links with Science, Mathematics, Computing and Art and Design, enabling pupils to apply knowledge in meaningful contexts. Opportunities to investigate real-world problems, evaluate existing products and learn about significant designers, engineers and inventors broaden pupils’ understanding of the impact of Design and Technology within everyday life.

IMPACT:

The impact of our Design and Technology curriculum is that pupils will leave St Stephen’s as confident, creative and reflective designers who can apply their knowledge and skills to solve practical problems. They will demonstrate a secure understanding of the design process, select appropriate materials and techniques with increasing independence and evaluate products thoughtfully using accurate technical vocabulary.

The curriculum ensures that all pupils, regardless of their starting point, develop resilience, creativity and practical competence through engaging, hands-on learning experiences. Pupils will understand that successful design is achieved through planning, testing, evaluating and refining ideas, and they confidently apply these skills across the wider curriculum.

Through high expectations, practical application and carefully planned progression, pupils develop the knowledge, technical understanding and problem-solving skills needed for the next stage of their education. They will leave St Stephen’s with an appreciation of how Design and Technology improves everyday life and with the confidence to become innovative, responsible and resourceful citizens.