Design and Technology Curriculum Rationale

The Design and Technology (D&T) curriculum at Martock Primary School is designed to provide our pupils with a comprehensive, engaging, and progressive learning experience that aligns with the National Curriculum and the unique needs of our school community. By adopting the Kapow Primary D&T curriculum, we aim to deliver a spiral, hands-on approach that develops essential skills and knowledge, while fostering creativity, innovation, and a deep understanding of the designed world around them.

The National Curriculum for Design and Technology sets out clear expectations for pupils to develop the ability to design, make, and evaluate products, as well as acquire technical knowledge and understanding. Our D&T curriculum is structured to ensure full coverage of these requirements, while also incorporating elements that are tailored to the specific needs and interests of our pupils.

The hands-on, practical nature of the Kapow Primary programme aligns well with our aim to provide engaging, multisensory learning experiences that cater to a range of learning styles and abilities. By incorporating innovative projects and opportunities for collaborative work, we aim to foster a sense of achievement and confidence in all our pupils, supporting their personal development and helping to address the school's priority of improving outcomes for SEND pupils.

Additionally, the spiral nature of the Kapow curriculum, with its emphasis on revisiting and building upon key concepts over time, is well-suited to our school's improvement priorities. This approach will enable our pupils to develop a deep, secure understanding of design and technology principles, ultimately preparing them for the next stage of their education and beyond.

Whole School Aims

The Design and Technology curriculum at Martock Primary School is closely aligned with the school's vision and values. By providing opportunities for pupils to work collaboratively, demonstrate perseverance, and show respect for one another's ideas, the D&T programme supports the school's core values of kindness, perseverance, respect, and collaboration.

Furthermore, the school's vision of giving staff and children the chance to flourish in a nurturing environment with excellent opportunities is reflected in the D&T curriculum. The hands-on, creative nature of the subject allows pupils to experience success and make a positive difference to the world around them, as outlined in the school's vision statement.

Subject Vision

At Martock Primary School, we believe that Design and Technology is a vital component of a well-rounded education. Through the Kapow Primary D&T curriculum, we aim to equip our pupils with the skills, knowledge, and understanding necessary to thrive in an increasingly technological world.

Our intent is to foster a love of design and making, while also developing critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. By engaging in a range of practical, hands-on projects, our pupils will have the opportunity to design, create, and evaluate products, gaining a deeper appreciation for the designed world and the processes involved in its creation.

This curriculum aligns closely with the school's improvement priorities, particularly the focus on developing the subject knowledge and pedagogical skills of our staff. By providing comprehensive, high-quality resources and support through the Kapow Primary programme, we aim to empower our teachers to deliver engaging and effective D&T lessons that meet the needs of all our pupils, including those with SEND.

Communication with Stakeholders

To ensure the successful implementation of our Design and Technology curriculum, we will employ a range of strategies to communicate the rationale and vision to our key stakeholders, including parents, carers, and the local community.

Regular updates and information sessions will be provided to parents and carers, highlighting the objectives, content, and expected outcomes of the D&T curriculum. This will help to foster a shared understanding and encourage parental engagement in their children's learning, which is a key priority for the school.

Additionally, we will utilise the school's website, newsletters, and other channels to showcase examples of pupils' work and celebrate their achievements in Design and Technology. This will not only raise the profile of the subject within the school community but also demonstrate the school's commitment to providing a broad and balanced curriculum that meets the needs of all our pupils.

Addressing Inspection Feedback

The Design and Technology curriculum at Martock Primary School has been carefully designed to address the key areas for improvement identified in the most recent Ofsted inspection.

Firstly, the Kapow Primary programme places a strong emphasis on developing pupils' subject knowledge and skills in a progressive, sequential manner. By clearly identifying the key knowledge and concepts that pupils should learn within each unit, we aim to ensure that learning builds upon prior understanding, addressing the inspectors' concerns about the lack of clarity in subject planning.

Furthermore, the hands-on, practical nature of the D&T curriculum aligns with the inspectors' feedback about the need to provide more opportunities for pupils to practice and explore new learning, particularly in the early years. The Kapow Primary resources include a range of engaging, age-appropriate activities that will help to promote curiosity and independent learning, addressing the concerns raised about the school's early years environment.

Finally, the comprehensive professional development and subject-specific support offered through the Kapow Primary programme will help to strengthen our teachers' subject knowledge and pedagogical skills in Design and Technology. This, in turn, will enable them to deliver high-quality, consistent lessons that meet the needs of all our pupils, including those with SEND, as highlighted in the inspection feedback.