Design & Technology serves as a powerful tool to ignite pupils’ creative thinking and encourage the exploration of imaginative design concepts. In this subject, pupils develop solutions to problems in a variety of real-world scenarios, gaining an introductory understanding of the design industries. This foundation prepares pupils to acquire essential technical skills and become creative problem-solvers through both individual and collaborative tasks. These thinking skills may inspire future engineers and entrepreneurs to innovate, shaping the environments of tomorrow and contributing to the rapid technological advancements in our world.
At Adderley, we introduce the core concepts of Design & Technology in Reception through activities in ‘Expressive Arts & Design’ and ‘Understanding the World,’ laying a strong foundation. This knowledge is progressively expanded from Year 1 through to Year 6, with pupils building a rich vocabulary and understanding that supports their ability to follow the process of Designing, Making, and Evaluating. Pupils respond to real-life scenarios by designing and creating products, refining them based on functionality during evaluation. Through the Kapow Schemes of Work, pupils engage in practical experiences that teach them how to communicate ideas throughout the design process, using a variety of tools, equipment, and ingredients safely to cut, join, shape, prepare, and assess their creations against set design criteria. We also emphasise the importance of healthy eating, integrating it into the curriculum to ensure that pupils develop a holistic understanding of well-being.
We adopt the Kapow Schemes of Work for DT. You can view our Design Technology Curriculum Map here.
Food Technology projects focus primarily on nutrition, food preparation, food safety, and cooking.
We strongly encourage pupils to articulate their ideas confidently through our Voice 21 initiative. This approach helps to assess their knowledge gained throughout the projects, fostering respectful listening to peers and encouraging the use of subject-specific vocabulary to communicate their thoughts clearly. Our goal is for pupils to develop respect for each other, staff, and the school, and to carry these values into their homes and communities. We are committed to ensuring that Design & Technology is accessible to all pupils, regardless of their ability. Every staff member plays a vital role in inspiring pupils, keeping their knowledge relevant and up-to-date, and adapting lessons to meet the diverse needs of each child.
We believe that children learn best when they are engaged and inspired by their learning experiences. To support this, we provide enrichment opportunities, including visits, guest speakers, and clubs, wherever possible. These experiences help to bring the subject to life and foster a love of learning.
Our intentions and impacts through DT are ultimately…
- To provide specialist knowledge for all staff to support lessons
- To teach an exciting and engaging Design Technology programme
- To meet all the requirements of the National Curriculum
- To listen to children’s opinions regarding the teaching of DT
- To provide enrichment opportunities linked to DT
- To support children so they can access DT lessons
- To impart subject knowledge and skills
- To give children the opportunities to engage, develop, innovate and express themselves with the learning of DT
- To support children in designing, making & evaluating as well as building their subject vocabulary
- To teach children about the importance of healthy eating and nutrition
- To provide cooking opportunities to teach & develop life skills
- To give children access to a range of cooking appliances and resources
- To give children access to a range of tools and materials
- To support staff with the teaching of DT
- To support children’s cultural capital through DT
- Trips and visits linked to DT projects
- Small group teaching for children who require additional support
- Use of the Kapow Pedagogy
- Timetabled slots for the teaching of creative subjects
- A wide range of DT lessons teaching the National Curriculum requirements
- A fully stocked resource base with a wide range of materials
- Access to the computing suite to provide additional DT resources
- Staff training and support
Impact
- Children and staff benefit from specialist support and advice readily available
- Children partake in exciting and engaging lessons and activities
- Children are given opportunities to see DT in real life situations
- Children guide their learning by giving staff their feedback and opinions
- Children feel empowered and involved in their education and what they are being taught
- Children feel valued and listened to
- Children receive more focused support when required
- Children feel excitement and enjoyment from DT lessons
- Children gain knowledge and skills they can transfer into the wider world
- Children gain a healthy approach to food and nutrition
- Children get to use real life appliances in real life settings
- Children can use other school resources to support and further their DT leaning
- Staff feel empowered and more confident in teaching DT