a. DT Curriculum Overview

Design and Technology at Aston Rowant is a practical, purposeful subject that enables pupils to apply creativity, knowledge and skills to real‑life problems. The curriculum is designed to be ambitious, inclusive and carefully sequenced, ensuring pupils develop technical understanding alongside problem‑solving and critical thinking. Through engaging lessons and hands‑on projects, pupils learn how products are designed, made and evaluated, gaining insight into the designed and manufactured world. Design and Technology plays a vital role in preparing pupils for future learning by fostering independence, resilience, collaboration and an understanding of how innovation can improve lives. 

Long-Term Plan (Kapow Mixed-Age)

EYFS

• Exploring materials
• Constructing with a purpose
• Developing simple joining techniques
• Exploring food preparation
• Talking about choices and outcomes

KS1 (Years 1–2, Mixed Age)

Autumn: Structures – Freestanding Structures

Spring: Mechanisms – Sliders & Levers

Summer: Food Technology – Preparing Fruit & Healthy Snacks

 

Lower KS2 (Years 3–4, Mixed Age)

Autumn: Structures – Shell Structures

Spring: Mechanisms – Levers & Linkages / Wheels & Axles

Summer: Textiles – Joining Fabric / Food – Healthy & Varied Diet

 

Upper KS2 (Years 5–6, Mixed Age)

Autumn: Electrical Systems – Simple Circuits & Switches

Spring: Structures – Frame Structures / Mechanical Systems – Cams

Summer: Textiles – Combining Fabrics / Food – Celebrating Culture & Seasonality

 

Young Enterprise (Whole School)

Throughout the year, all classes take part in age-appropriate enterprise projects, including:

• Designing products for local events
• Costing and budgeting
• Marketing and promotion
• Selling and evaluating profit
• Understanding sustainable business practices

Progression Grid (Overview)

Area of Learning	KS1	Lower KS2	Upper KS2
Design	Draw simple plans; choose materials	Research users; annotated sketches; prototypes	Detailed designs; diagrams; CAD (if appropriate)
Make	Cut safely; simple joins; basic tools	Accurate measuring; wider range of tools; combining materials	Precision work; complex components; applying technical knowledge
Evaluate	Compare simple products; say what worked	Evaluate against design criteria; consider function	Critically evaluate; consider sustainability, user needs and cost
Structures	Freestanding structures	Strengthening, stiffening, reinforcing	Frame structures; structural integrity
Mechanisms	Sliders & levers	Wheels, axles, linkages	Cams, pulleys, gears
Textiles	Template + simple joining	Stitching techniques; patterns	Combining fabrics; durable and functional designs
Electrical Systems	N/A	Simple circuits	Circuit components, switches; incorporating into products
Food Technology	Chop, peel, healthy choices	Recipes, nutrition, hygiene	Cultural foods, seasonal produce, savoury meals
Enterprise	Simple selling experience	Budgeting, market research	Pricing strategy, branding, profit calculations

Overview of Kapow Units by Mixed-Age Class

Squirrel Class (Year 1–2)

• Exploring materials
• Sliders & levers
• Freestanding structures
• Healthy snacks

Fox Class (Years 3–4)

• Shell structures
• Levers & linkages
• Wheels & axles
• Textiles (Joining fabric)
• Healthy & varied diet

Owl Class (Years 5–6)

• Electrical systems (circuits & switches)
• Frame structures
• Mechanical systems (cams)
• Textiles (combining fabric shapes)
• Seasonal & cultural food

Key Vocabulary by Stage

EYFS - Join, build, cut, fold, roll, stick, soft, hard, strong, weak, smooth, rough, healthy, recipe, tools

KS1 - Design, plan, evaluate, template, structure, mechanism, slider, lever, axle, wheel, ingredients, hygiene, chop

Lower KS2 - Prototype, user, purpose, function, stiffen, reinforce, linkage, pivot, pattern, running stitch, component, circuit

Upper KS2 - Criteria, innovate, refine, frame structure, cam, pulley, gear, switch, conductivity, seasonal, sustainable, budget, profit

Essential Knowledge & Skills

Designing

• Identify user needs
• Develop clear design criteria
• Use annotated sketches, diagrams and prototypes
• Consider sustainability and purpose in design

Making

• Select tools for specific tasks
• Measure, shape, cut and join materials accurately
• Work safely and responsibly
• Combine materials and components appropriately

Evaluating

• Reflect on successes and improvements
• Critically compare against design criteria
• Consider functionality, user satisfaction, durability and aesthetics

Technical Knowledge

• Understand structures and stability
• Explore and apply mechanisms
• Build circuits and incorporate electrical components
• Develop textile skills, joining methods and fabric manipulation
• Understand nutrition, food groups and safe food handling

Enterprise Skills

• Identify a market need
• Cost resources and materials
• Create a brand and marketing approach
• Understand pricing, revenue and profit
• Work collaboratively to design, manufacture and sell products