Design Technology 
Intent
At New Bewerley Community School, Design and Technology is taught through a carefully planned and progressive curriculum from Reception to Year 6. Children develop their knowledge and skills through practical, hands-on experiences that encourage them to design, make, evaluate and solve real-life problems. Learning is sequenced to build on prior knowledge and makes meaningful links with other curriculum areas, particularly History and Geography, helping children understand how design and technology have shaped the world around them. Pupils also learn about significant designers, engineers, inventors and other key individuals whose innovations have influenced society. Through creative and purposeful projects, children develop technical skills, resilience, critical thinking and a sense of pride in their work, preparing them for future learning and everyday life. The Characteristics of Effective Learning underpin all Design and Technology experiences, supporting children to become curious, independent and motivated learners who are willing to explore, take risks, persevere through challenges and reflect on their learning.
Implementation
In Reception at New Bewerley Community School, Design and Technology is taught through practical, hands-on experiences that are closely linked to children's interests and the wider curriculum. Through the Creating with Materials strand of the EYFS curriculum, children explore a range of materials, tools and construction resources to design, make and evaluate their creations. Opportunities for problem-solving, collaboration and creativity are embedded throughout continuous provision and adult-led activities. The Characteristics of Effective Learning underpin all DT experiences, encouraging our younger children to be curious, resilient and independent learners as they explore, create and refine their ideas.
Our Design and Technology curriculum is implemented through carefully planned units of work that build progressively from Reception to Year 6. Learning is linked to class topics, influential individuals and key events within the school calendar, providing meaningful contexts for children to design, make and evaluate products. Teachers deliver engaging, practical lessons that develop children's technical knowledge and skills while encouraging creativity, problem-solving and innovation. Knowledge organisers are used to support children in their learning, helping them to recall key vocabulary, concepts, technical knowledge and significant individuals, while making links between current and prior learning. Opportunities for discussion, evaluation and reflection are embedded throughout each unit, enabling children to refine their ideas and improve their outcomes. Cross-curricular links with subjects such as History and Geography further enrich learning and help children make connections between Design and Technology and the wider world. The Characteristics of Effective Learning underpin all teaching of Design Technology, encouraging children to be curious, resilient, independent and reflective learners.
An Example of a Y1 Knowledge Organiser
An Example of a Y3 Knowledge Organiser
Impact
It is our aim that children leave New Bewerley Community School as confident, creative and resilient learners who can apply their Design and Technology knowledge and skills to solve real-world problems. Through our progressive curriculum, children build and retain key designing, making and evaluating skills, enabling them to produce purposeful outcomes of increasing complexity as they move through the school. They develop a strong understanding of how design and technology have shaped the world around them and are inspired by the achievements of significant designers, engineers and inventors. Children think critically, work collaboratively, show resilience when faced with challenges and view mistakes as valuable opportunities for learning and improvement. Through regular opportunities to evaluate, refine and adapt their work, pupils become reflective learners who take pride in their achievements and understand the importance of creativity, innovation, perseverance and determination. As a result, children are well prepared for the next stage of their education and equipped with the knowledge, skills and confidence to contribute positively to an ever-changing world.
The Design and Technology subject leader plays a key role in monitoring and evaluating the quality of teaching and learning across the school. Through lesson observations, pupil voice, work scrutiny and curriculum reviews, the subject leader ensures that key knowledge and skills are taught progressively and consistently across all year groups. Assessment for learning is used effectively to identify misconceptions and adapt teaching where necessary, ensuring that all children are supported, challenged and able to achieve success within the Design and Technology curriculum.