At Tewin Cowper, we believe that Design and Technology helps children become creative problem-solvers who can shape the world around them. Inspired by our mustard seed vision, we nurture small ideas so they grow into confident designs, practical skills and successful outcomes. Through Design and Technology, pupils learn to think innovatively, work practically and reflect thoughtfully. 

What we want children to learn

We use Kapow Primary’s Design and Technology scheme as the basis for our teaching. Our curriculum is ambitious, inclusive and carefully sequenced to ensure all pupils develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to design, make and evaluate purposeful products. 

We aim for pupils to: 

• Become creative and innovative thinkers 

• Understand and follow the design process: design, make and evaluate 

• Take risks, test ideas and learn from mistakes 

• Develop practical skills and technical knowledge across a range of materials and contexts 

• Understand how Design and Technology impacts everyday life and the wider world 

The curriculum is fully aligned with the National Curriculum and supports pupils in meeting end of key stage expectations. In EYFS, learning opportunities support children in working towards the Development Matters statements and Early Learning Goals, building early foundations in creativity, problem-solving and making. 

How learning happens

Design and Technology is taught through the Kapow Primary scheme, which provides a progressive, well-sequenced curriculum from EYFS to Year 6. Learning builds year on year through a spiral curriculum, allowing pupils to revisit and deepen skills with increasing complexity. 

The curriculum is structured around four key strands: 

• Design 

• Make 

• Evaluate 

• Technical knowledge 

These strands are delivered through six key areas, which pupils revisit throughout their time in primary school: 

• Cooking and nutrition 

• Mechanisms (mechanical systems) 

• Structures 

• Textiles 

• Electrical systems (KS2 only) 

• Digital world (KS2 only) 

Pupils respond to design briefs and real-life scenarios, encouraging them to consider the needs of users and develop practical, creative solutions. Each unit follows the design process and includes a focus on technical knowledge or cooking and nutrition, as required by the National Curriculum. 

Lessons include a range of teaching approaches, such as hands-on practical tasks, independent work, collaboration, discussion and computer-based activities. This ensures learning is engaging and accessible to all pupils. Adaptive teaching and differentiated guidance support all learners, with opportunities to deepen learning where appropriate. Knowledge organisers help pupils recall key facts, vocabulary and processes, supporting secure learning. 

What children achieve

Assessment is ongoing and purposeful, using both formative and summative approaches to identify progress and address gaps in learning. Unit quizzes and knowledge catchers support retrieval and reflection at key points in learning. 

By the time pupils leave Tewin Cowper, they will: 

• Understand the functional and aesthetic properties of a range of materials 

• Use tools and equipment safely and effectively 

• Design and create high-quality products, models and prototypes to meet specific needs 

• Apply principles of healthy eating, nutrition and food preparation 

• Understand how key inventions, designers and technologies have shaped the world 

• Recognise the social, environmental and ethical impact of design choices 

• Evaluate their own work and the work of others, identifying improvements 

• Meet the end of key stage expectations for Design and Technology 

As a result, pupils leave Tewin Cowper believing in their ideas, growing in creativity and technical skill, and succeeding as confident, resourceful learners ready for the next stage of their education.