Design & Technology Curriculum at Sir Martin Frobisher Academy
Designing, Creating and Innovating
At Sir Martin Frobisher Academy, we believe that Design & Technology (D&T) inspires creativity, problem-solving, and innovation. Our aim is to equip pupils with the skills and knowledge to design, make, and evaluate products that solve real-life problems.
We provide an engaging and practical curriculum that encourages children to think creatively and develop confidence in their ideas.
Our Approach to Design & Technology
We follow the Kapow Primary Design & Technology scheme to support high-quality teaching and learning across the school. This ensures clear progression of skills and knowledge from Early Years through to Year 6.
Through this approach, pupils:
- Develop practical skills in designing and making
- Learn to solve problems through creativity and innovation
- Understand the design process
- Evaluate and improve their work
- Explore real-world applications of design
Lessons are hands-on, purposeful, and designed to inspire curiosity and independence.
Design & Technology in EYFS
In the Early Years Foundation Stage, Design & Technology is part of the “Expressive Arts and Design” area of learning.
Children are encouraged to:
- Build, construct, and create using a range of materials
- Explore how things work
- Develop fine motor skills
- Use their imagination to design and make
Learning is play-based and focused on exploration and creativity.
Design & Technology in Key Stage 1
In Years 1 and 2, pupils begin to develop basic design and making skills.
Children learn to:
- Design simple products for a purpose
- Use tools and materials safely
- Build structures and mechanisms
- Begin to evaluate their work
They start to understand how everyday products are designed and made.
Design & Technology in Key Stage 2
In Key Stage 2, pupils develop more advanced skills and a deeper understanding of the design process.
Children learn to:
- Generate and develop ideas through planning and drawing
- Use a wider range of tools and materials with increasing accuracy
- Create more complex structures, mechanisms, and products
- Evaluate and refine their work based on feedback
Pupils are encouraged to think critically and solve problems independently.
The Design Process
A key focus of our D&T Kapow curriculum is understanding the design process. Pupils are taught to:
- Design – generate ideas and plan their work
- Make – create products using appropriate tools and materials
- Evaluate – assess their work and identify improvements
This structured approach helps children to develop resilience and a sense of achievement.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
We enrich our D&T curriculum through:
- Practical projects and challenges
- Cross-curricular links
- Real-life problem-solving opportunities
These experiences help pupils to see the relevance of design and technology in everyday life.
Supporting Design & Technology at Home
Parents and carers can support their child by:
- Encouraging building and making activities
- Involving children in cooking and food preparation
- Talking about how everyday objects are designed
- Supporting creative problem-solving
Assessment and Progress
Design & Technology is assessed through ongoing observation and evaluation of pupils’ work. Teachers consider:
- Design ideas and planning
- Practical skills and final products
- Ability to evaluate and improve
This ensures that pupils develop both skills and understanding over time.
Our Commitment
To view our Design & Technology policy, please click here.
At Sir Martin Frobisher Academy, we are committed to developing creative, practical, and innovative learners. Through our use of the Kapow curriculum and a focus on hands-on learning, we ensure that every child can design, create, and succeed.