Our vision for Design and Technology (DT) at Knaphill Lower School:

At Knaphill Lower School, our Design and Technology curriculum is designed to inspire all children to become designers they are determined to use the power of innovation to make products that serve a purpose. As they build their knowledge of the designs that are already around us, children will use their childhood creativity to improve what already exists.

Like art, design can embody some of the highest forms of human creativity. We believe that teaching DT is vital to developing our children’s character, as children are empowered to express their own feelings, imagination, and perspective of the world through the designs they set out to improve. We also recognise that Design and Technology is different from art because the things you design always have a purpose and are for someone to use.

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.

As pupils progress, they will follow a process to develop and make products by thinking, making, breaking and repeating. As designers they will think critically about these designs and go backwards and forwards in this process. Our vision for DT at Knaphill is based on preparing children for their next stage of education, as well as starting them on their journey as innovators and design pioneers.

The Intent for our Design Technology Curriculum is based on ensuring that we have an approach which includes disciplinary knowledge, including:

  • All children are given a curiosity and understanding of ideas develop- through a design process.
  • All children given the skills and vocabulary to critic design.
  • A desire to embrace challenging activities.
  • The creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently
  • The skills to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world
  • The skills to design and make high-quality prototypes and products for a wide range of users
  • The ability to critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products and the work of others
  • An excellent knowledge to understand and apply the principles of nutrition and learn how to cook

Adapting the curriculum for pupils with SEND in DT

  • Adaptive teaching takes place to meet specific needs.
  • Pre-teaching when prior learning is needed before a lesson.
  • Teachers identify and break down the components of the subject curriculum into manageable chunks for pupils who find learning more difficult, particularly those with cognition and learning needs. These may be smaller ‘steps’ than those taken by other pupils to avoid overloading the working memory. Teachers may use task boards to support a sequence of instructions.
  • A variety of additional scaffolds may be used in lessons, such vocabulary banks, additional visual stimuli or adult support.
  • If children have a physical disability, adaptations will be made to the lesson to provide children with access to resources and practical activities.

Knaphill Lower School – Curriculum Drivers: Values

Throughout all curriculum subjects, children are given opportunities to apply to Knaphill Lower School values in their learning.

In DT, key values have been identified as:

  • Resilience – linked to the ability to adapt to changing conditions, which enables the innovation process
  • Aspiration – as children use early design skills to support their future employment.
  • Equality – diversity and inclusion in design encourages greater understanding between different users
  • Curiosity – as children explore, curiosity allows them to develop creativity,

Design and Technology – Key concepts and curriculum design

At KLS, our Design and Technology knowledge is organised into key concepts. All concepts are included within our DT curriculum. Knowledge within these key DT concepts is designed to support children with building a strong DT schema, which will prepare children well for their next stage of education and beyond.

These concepts are defined below: