Design and Technology
Intent
At Woodchurch Road Academy, our intent in Design and Technology is to inspire children to become creative and resourceful problem solvers, both as individuals and as part of a team. We aim to equip pupils with the knowledge and practical skills to design and make purposeful, functional and appealing products that solve real and relevant problems in a variety of contexts.
Through the Kapow Primary scheme of work, pupils develop skills across six key areas — structures, mechanisms, textiles, cooking and nutrition, electrical systems, and the digital world — supported by four key strands that run throughout the curriculum: Design, Make, Evaluate, and Technical Knowledge.
Our curriculum ensures full coverage of the National Curriculum from EYFS to Year 6, fostering imagination, innovation and perseverance while developing children’s understanding of the complete design process from concept to finished product.
Implementation
Design and Technology is taught through a progressive and carefully sequenced curriculum that ensures skills and knowledge are built upon each year. Each unit has a clear focus, from junk modelling and making smoothies in EYFS and Key Stage 1 to creating programmable devices and constructing mechanical systems in Key Stage 2.
Every lesson follows a structured approach:
Design – Exploring existing products and developing design criteria through research and discussion.
Make – Selecting and using appropriate tools, materials, and components to produce prototypes and final outcomes.
Evaluate – Testing, reflecting on, and improving work against design criteria and user needs.
Technical Knowledge – Learning how mechanical, electrical, and structural systems operate and applying this understanding creatively.
Cross-curricular links are integrated throughout the curriculum. For example:
Food technology connects to Science and PSHE through learning about nutrition and healthy lifestyles.
Mechanical and structural projects link to Maths through shape, measurement, and problem-solving.
Digital world units connect to Computing through coding, control, and computer-aided design (CAD).
This approach ensures that Design and Technology is meaningful, relevant, and engaging for all pupils.
Impact
By the end of each key stage, pupils at Woodchurch Road Academy will have developed a wide range of creative, practical, and critical thinking skills. They will:
Show confidence and independence in designing, making, and evaluating their products.
Apply technical knowledge to solve real-world problems.
Recognise how design and technology influence everyday life and contribute to society and the wider world.
Take pride in their work, demonstrating resilience, curiosity, and creativity throughout the process.
Ultimately, our pupils leave Woodchurch Road Academy as imaginative, forward-thinking individuals who can combine practical ability with innovation to design solutions that make a positive difference to the world around them.
