"I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with wisdom, with understanding, with knowledge and with all kinds of skills; to make artistic designs."
Exodus 35:31-32
Our Vision
At St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, we believe Design and Technology should inspire children to become creative, innovative and reflective thinkers who can solve real-life problems with confidence and purpose. We provide an aspirational, high-quality and inclusive Design and Technology education that enables all pupils, from EYFS to Year 6, to develop the knowledge, skills and creativity needed to design and make products that improve the world around them. Through our values of Faith, Hope and Love, we encourage children to use their God-given talents to show resilience, empathy and confidence, preparing them for the opportunities and challenges of the future.
What does Design and Technology look like at St Joseph's?
Our whole curriculum is shaped by our school vision which aims to enable all children to ‘be the best they can be’. We deliver an engaging, aspirational and inclusive curriculum through the Design and Technology Association’s Projects on a Page, which provides a clear progression of knowledge, skills and design thinking across the primary years.
Children are taught through a consistent design process of researching, designing, making, evaluating and refining. They learn that successful design is an iterative process and that improvement comes through reflection, perseverance and learning from mistakes. Through carefully planned projects, children develop practical and technical skills across a range of contexts including structures, mechanisms, textiles, electrical systems and cooking and nutrition.
Executive functioning and foundational skills are woven throughout the curriculum, enabling children to plan, organise, make informed decisions, manage resources and evaluate their work effectively. Adaptations, scaffolds and practical support ensure that all learners can access the curriculum and achieve success.
In Design and Technology, pupils are encouraged to be resilient, creative problem-solvers who take risks, think innovatively and have high expectations of themselves and their work. By considering the needs and experiences of others, they develop empathy and understand how thoughtful design can have a positive impact on people's lives. As designers, they learn to communicate their ideas clearly, use technical vocabulary accurately and become confident, aspirational learners equipped for their future education and life beyond St Joseph's.
"Good design is making something intelligible and memorable. Great design is making something memorable and meaningful."
Dieter Rams