Intent

At St John’s, we follow the Kapow Primary Design and Technology scheme to inspire pupils to become creative thinkers, problem-solvers, and innovators. Our intent is to provide all children with a high-quality DT education that equips them with the practical skills, technical knowledge, and creative confidence to design, make, and evaluate purposeful products.

The Kapow curriculum enables pupils to explore a broad range of materials, tools, and techniques through engaging, hands-on projects that are relevant to real-world contexts. It encourages curiosity, resilience, and reflective thinking as children investigate how things work, develop design ideas, and learn from both success and failure.

Through clear progression across year groups, pupils build essential knowledge in structures, mechanisms, textiles, food technology, and electrical systems. Our DT curriculum is inclusive and accessible to all, ensuring every child can take pride in their creations and develop a strong foundation in both practical and critical thinking skills.

Implementation

We implement our Design and Technology curriculum through well-sequenced and skills-focused lessons. Each unit is carefully designed to build on prior learning and progressively develop children’s knowledge and practical skills across five key areas: mechanisms, structures, textiles, food, and electrical systems.

Lessons are taught regularly and delivered using Kapow’s high-quality resources, including videos, teacher guidance, and practical examples, which support both subject specialists and non-specialists in delivering engaging and effective DT lessons. Each unit follows the design, make, and evaluate cycle and includes a focus on technical knowledge and subject-specific vocabulary.

We place emphasis on hands-on learning, encouraging pupils to be creative, take risks, and learn from the iterative process of designing and making. Where possible, cross-curricular links are made to enhance learning and provide meaningful contexts for projects.

Assessment for learning is embedded throughout each unit, using a combination of teacher observation, pupil voice, and outcomes to monitor progress and inform planning. The scheme also ensures accessibility and inclusivity, with adaptations and support for pupils with a range of learning needs.

Impact

The impact of our Design and Technology curriculum is reflected in the high levels of engagement, creativity, and skill development demonstrated by our pupils. Children leave each unit with a deeper understanding of the design process and the confidence to apply their knowledge practically and purposefully.

Pupils develop a strong foundation in key areas such as designing, making, evaluating, and applying technical knowledge. They learn how to take risks, solve problems, and reflect critically on their outcomes—skills that are transferable across the curriculum and vital for future learning and life.

Children’s work is celebrated through displays, discussions, and presentations, which showcase the pride they take in their creations and their ability to articulate their design choices.

By the end of each key stage, pupils can:

• Confidently follow the design, make, and evaluate cycle
• Use a range of tools, materials, and techniques safely and effectively
• Understand the functionality and purpose of their designs
• Apply their knowledge across a range of real-life contexts
• Demonstrate creativity, resilience, and collaborative working

Children are not only equipped with practical DT skills but also develop a mindset of curiosity, independence, and innovation—preparing them to be thoughtful designers and problem-solvers in an ever-evolving world.

Design Technology Long Term Planning 2024-2025

Design Technology: Skills & Knowledge Progression