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Design and Technology (DT)
"When everything seems to be going against you, remember that the airplane takes off against the wind, not with it."
Henry Ford
Design and technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. Using creativity and imagination, pupils design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. They acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art. Pupils learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens. Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, they develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world. High-quality design and technology education makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of the nation.
Intent
At St John’s, the Design Technology (DT) curriculum is designed to develop pupils’ creativity, problem-solving, and practical skills through the National Curriculum’s key areas: structures, cooking and nutrition, textiles, and mechanisms. The intent is for pupils to acquire and apply technical and practical knowledge progressively, building on prior learning and developing confidence in designing, making, and evaluating. Knowledge and vocabulary are sequenced through a two-year cycle to ensure progression and retention. High expectations, retrieval practice, and exposure to notable designers aim to build cultural capital and ensure all pupils, regardless of ability, have equal access to the subject.
Implementation
DT is taught weekly for alternating terms, with one additional standalone unit annually, following a clear progression model based on the Kapow scheme of learning. This approach ensures consistency, supports teacher confidence, and promotes high-quality instruction through expert modelling videos and CPD. Lessons are practical, inclusive, and sequenced logically to enable pupils to design, make, and evaluate products while embedding key knowledge and vocabulary. Teachers assess formatively throughout, using retrieval tasks to secure understanding. The subject leader oversees planning, assessment, resources, and professional development to maintain consistent standards across the school.
Impact
The impact of the DT curriculum is that pupils leave St John’s with the skills, creativity, and confidence to apply design and technology knowledge successfully in later learning and life. Assessment focuses on the processes pupils use and the skills they demonstrate, rather than solely on final outcomes. A combination of formative assessment, observation, pupil conferencing, and retrieval tasks ensures understanding is embedded in long-term memory. Continuous monitoring of pupil progress ensures steady development across year groups, providing a strong foundation for future design and technology education at Key Stage 3 and beyond.
