Welcome to our Design and Technology page

Intent of our Design and Technology Curriculum

At Swansfield Park Primary School, our intent is to provide an ambitious, creative, and engaging curriculum that inspires pupils to be innovative and creative thinkers. We aim to foster an appreciation for the product design cycle through a process of ideation, creation, and evaluation. Importantly, we want our children to develop the technical knowledge and imagination needed to transform their ideas into functional reality.  

Developing Resilience and Independence

We aim to empower our pupils to be resourceful, independent learners and risk-takers. We provide consistent opportunities for children to draw on their subject knowledge and apply their skills through:

• Drafting & Modelling: Using design concepts and prototypes to visualise and test ideas.

• Iterative Testing: Developing the resilience to refine projects and embrace "trial and error" as a path to success.

• Reflective Evaluation: Critically analysing their own work and the work of others to drive continuous improvement.

 Enterprising Citizens

Our curriculum is designed to build an awareness of the impact of Design and Technology on our daily lives and the environment. By fostering an enterprising spirit, we prepare our pupils to be responsible, global citizens who possess the skills, curiosity, and ethics to contribute to future design advancements and thrive in life beyond the classroom.

Implementation of our Design Technology curriculum

• In EYFS, exploration of Design and Technology is integrated within the Expressive Arts and Design strand of our curriculum. By providing a rich environment of media and materials, we encourage children to create, adapt, and problem-solve, supporting their Physical Development through tool use and their Mathematical thinking through construction and assembly.

• In Reception, KS1 and KS2 the curriculum is taught through the Kapow scheme. In KS1 and KS2 the curriculum is taught on a two-year rolling programme with the opportunity to revisit and revise key skills several times within an age phase. The knowledge and skills taught in each age phase build progressively over time.

• Central to our values is our commitment to developing Curious Learners. To ignite this curiosity, every unit begins with a dedicated STEM lesson. These sessions are designed to:

          Inspire and excite, launching each unit with high-engagement and hands-on        exploration.

            Link science and mathematical principles directly to engineering challenges.

          Inform Design: Ensure children have a foundational understanding of "how things work" before they begin their own creative process. 

• At Swansfield Park, all children have planned opportunities to develop their culinary  skills and their understanding of nutrition.

• In addition to the DT curriculum for each year group, children in Years 1-6 have the opportunity to take part in a variety of after school clubs. For example, “construct, design and doodle”, “Lego club” and “Lets get cooking”.