Intent

Our design and technology curriculum aims to inspire pupils to be innovative and creative thinkers who have an appreciation of the product design cycle through planning, making 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 design advancements.

Implementation

At Gilbertstone, we deliver our Design and Technology curriculum through a scheme of work from Kapow. The KAPOW Design and Technology scheme of work is designed to follow the five strands of the National Curriculum:

• Design
• Make
• Evaluate
• Technical Knowledge
• Cooking and nutrition

Through Kapow Primary’s Design and Technology scheme,  pupils respond to design briefs and scenarios that require consideration of the needs of others, developing their skills in six key areas:

• Mechanisms
• Structures
• Textiles
• Food
• Electrical systems (KS2)
• Digital world (KS2)

The Kapow scheme is a spiral curriculum with areas revisited with increasing complexity, allowing pupils to revisit and build on their previous learning. Lessons incorporate a range of teaching strategies from independent tasks, paired and group work including practical hands-on, computer-based and inventive tasks.

Impact

Pupils will:

• Understand the functional and aesthetic properties of a range of materials and resources.
• Understand how to use and combine tools to carry out different processes for shaping, decorating, and manufacturing products.
• Build and apply a repertoire of skills, knowledge and understanding to produce high quality, innovative outcomes, including models, prototypes, CAD, and products to fulfil the needs of users, clients and scenarios.
• Understand and apply the principles of healthy eating, diets and recipes including key processes, food groups and cooking equipment.
• Have an appreciation for key individuals, inventions and events in history and of today that impact our world.
• Recognise where our decisions can impact the wider world in terms of community, social and environmental issues.
• Self-evaluate and reflect on learning at different stages and identify areas to improve.
• Meet the end of key stage expectations outlined in the National Curriculum for Design and Technology.