Design & Technology
“I have come so that you may have life and have it to the full.” John 10:10
Subject Leader - Lisa Lambourne
Intent
At St John's Catholic Primary School, our intent is to provide our pupils with an outstanding Design and Technology curriculum that inspires and challenges them to be inventive, creative and resourceful problem-solvers in a rapidly changing technological and digital world. We aim to deliver a curriculum that is exciting, relevant and purposeful, equipping our pupils with the skills and knowledge necessary to engage successfully in the design, planning and making of products and systems that meet real needs in society.
Implementation
Our implementation of an outstanding Design and Technology curriculum is rooted in the statutory requirements of the National Curriculum and is underpinned by our school's Catholic ethos, which values creativity, innovation and stewardship of the planet. Through the Kapow scheme of work, we provide our pupils with a broad and balanced curriculum that covers the key aspects of designing, making and evaluating products and systems using a range of materials, tools and techniques. Our curriculum promotes the learning of coding, programming, electronics, and mechanics, together with CAD and CAM, ensuring that our pupils are familiar with the latest technological advancements. We embed relevant knowledge from other areas, including Science, Maths, History and Geography, to enable our pupils to see how it links to the world around them. We also provide pupils with opportunities to work in teams to solve real-life problems, using skills such as empathy, communication, and perseverance. By tackling a variety of design tasks that link contextually to different aspects of life, pupils gain a deeper appreciation of how Design and Technology can impact on the environment, the economy, and society at large.
Impact
Our outstanding Design and Technology curriculum ensures that pupils develop a rich range of technical skills, knowledge, and understanding, enabling them to critically evaluate and appreciate the world around them. Through the use of varied assessment practices, including peer and self-assessment, pupils gain an increased awareness of what they have achieved and what they need to learn next. Pupils develop their abilities to be reflective and resilient problem solvers, equipped with the skills and understanding to contribute to a rapidly evolving world. They are able to confidently use a wide range of materials and components, tools and equipment, and software that underpin their Design and Technology education. Thus, our pupils who leave our school with an outstanding Design and Technology education have the creativity and skillset required to succeed in further study or careers within the field of design, technology, engineering and related areas. Overall, our curriculum successfully promotes pupils’ enjoyment and enthusiasm for learning, ensuring they take great pride in their achievements in the subject.