Subject leader - Mrs H.Richardson 

At Kempshott Junior School, our Design and Technology curriculum is designed to be ambitious, relevant and inclusive, enabling all pupils to thrive as creative and practical learners. We aim for all children to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to design, make and evaluate purposeful products that solve real and meaningful problems.

Our curriculum is underpinned by the Kapow scheme of work, which we have carefully adapted to reflect the needs of our pupils and the context of our school. This ensures a coherent, well-sequenced approach where pupils build secure knowledge and understanding across key areas such as structures, mechanisms, textiles, cooking and nutrition. Through this, pupils develop a strong foundation of both substantive knowledge (materials, tools, techniques) and disciplinary understanding (designing, making, evaluating and refining).

Design and Technology is taught as a distinct subject, enabling pupils to develop subject-specific skills and think as designers and engineers. Pupils follow the iterative design process, learning to generate ideas, create prototypes, test their work and evaluate outcomes with increasing independence and precision. Over time, they develop resilience, problem-solving skills and a willingness to refine and improve their work.

Literacy and mathematics are meaningfully embedded throughout the curriculum. Pupils apply reading skills to understand design briefs and instructions, use subject-specific vocabulary to explain their thinking, and apply mathematical knowledge through measuring, calculating and evaluating.

Our curriculum reflects a ‘windows and mirrors’ approach, ensuring that pupils see themselves reflected in the products they design and the needs they explore, while also learning about innovations and technologies from a wide range of cultures and contexts.

We are committed to ensuring that all pupils access the full Design and Technology curriculum. Through adaptive teaching, including modelling, scaffolding and practical support, barriers are removed without lowering ambition. This ensures that every child can successfully design and create, regardless of starting point.

Through our Design and Technology curriculum, pupils develop creativity, technical knowledge and practical skills, alongside the confidence to take risks, solve problems and apply their learning in real-world contexts, preparing them for the next stage of their education and life beyond school.

 

                            

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