Design Technology – Intent, Implementation and Impact

Intent 

At North Petherton Community Primary School, our Design and Technology (DT) curriculum, guided by the Kapow scheme, aims to nurture creativity, independence, collaboration, and aspiration in our students.

We inspire creativity through engaging, hands-on projects that encourage innovative thinking and problem-solving. Our curriculum promotes independence by allowing students to take ownership of their learning, fostering self-reliance and confidence.

Collaboration is emphasised through teamwork and effective communication, preparing students for real-world scenarios. Lastly, we raise aspirations by exposing students to a diverse range of skills and knowledge, motivating them to pursue their goals with determination.

Our DT curriculum embodies our school values, preparing students to meet future challenges with confidence and innovation.

Implementation 

The Design and technology National curriculum outlines the three main stages of the design process: design, make and evaluate. Each stage of the design process is underpinned by technical knowledge which encompasses the contextual, historical, and technical understanding required for each strand. Cooking and nutrition has a separate section, with a focus on specific principles, skills and techniques in food, including where food comes from, diet and seasonality.

The National curriculum organises the Design and technology attainment targets under four subheadings: Design, Make, Evaluate, and Technical knowledge. We have taken these subheadings to be our strands:

● Design

● Make

● Evaluate

● Technical knowledge

Kapow Primary’s Design and technology scheme has a clear progression of skills and knowledge within these strands and key areas across each year group.

Impact 

The impact of Kapow Primary’s scheme can be constantly monitored through both formative and summative assessment opportunities. Each lesson includes guidance to support teachers in assessing pupils against the learning objectives. Furthermore, each unit has a unit quiz and knowledge catcher which can be used at the start and/ or end of the unit. 

After the implementation of Kapow Primary Design and technology, pupils should leave school equipped with a range of skills to enable them to succeed in their secondary education and be innovative and resourceful members of society.

The expected impact of following the Kapow Primary Design and technology scheme of work

is that children 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.

➔ Meet the end of key stage expectations outlined in the National curriculum for

Computing.