At St Mary’s, Design and Technology helps children use their God-given gifts to solve practical problems and make products that help people. Children consider users’ needs, value different ideas and learn to use resources thoughtfully.

Our curriculum develops creativity, technical knowledge and practical skills. Children learn that a successful product should work well as well as look appealing. Cooking and nutrition develop safe food preparation and informed food choices.

We use the school’s selected Kapow Design and Technology units. Projects connect research, design, making and evaluation, with technical knowledge taught and applied throughout. Reception has four planned units; children in Years 1 to 6 complete three units each year.

Learning develops from exploring materials and construction in Reception to increasingly independent planning, accurate making and justified evaluation in Key Stage 2. Children revisit structures, mechanisms, textiles, electrical systems and food through the planned sequence.

Teachers demonstrate tools, techniques and vocabulary, then provide guided practice and opportunities for independent decisions. Equipment and tasks are adapted to support meaningful participation. Safe tool use, food hygiene and care with ingredients are taught during practical work.

We consider the design process alongside the finished product. Children develop increasing accuracy, explain their choices and test whether their products meet an intended user’s needs. Questioning, designs, practical work and evaluations help teachers identify progress and next steps.