Intent  

At St Joseph’s Infant School, we aim to develop designers and problem‑solvers in every child, opening horizons and celebrating the rich diversity each child brings to our community. We provide a broad, balanced and inclusive curriculum where creativity is valued, and where all subjects—including Design and Technology—support children in reaching their full potential. 

Our D&T curriculum builds strong foundations for lifelong learning, motivating children through the enjoyment of hands‑on exploration, challenge and practical investigation. We nurture resilience, independence and determination by encouraging children to explore, test, adapt and improve their creations, supported by caring peers who help them think through challenges. 

Through meaningful conversation, high‑quality resources and clear learning intentions, we promote a growth mindset where children feel safe to take risks, try new approaches and reflect on their decisions. We embed opportunities for collaboration, teamwork and problem‑solving, so children learn to value their own effort and celebrate the achievements of others in a safe, happy and nurturing environment. 

Implementation 

Staff build on children’s prior knowledge and experiences, using a structured and adaptable D&T scheme (Kapow) to guide progression in skills such as designing, making, evaluating, and problem‑solving. Our approach ensures that every child sees themselves as a designer: we enable hands‑on exploration, practical investigation and creative thinking, always fostering a “can‑do” attitude so no child feels they ‘can’t make’ or ‘can’t build’. Teaching is supported through clear modelling, purposeful questioning, and a positive attitude that encourages trial, improvement, and innovation.  We provide adults who are confident in teaching D&T concepts and skilled in supporting children to experiment with a range of tools, materials and techniques they may not have used before.

Impact  

Children will develop the confidence to talk about their design choices, evaluate their own work and reflect on what went well and what could be improved. They will listen respectfully to others, recognising different ideas and approaches while learning to give thoughtful, constructive feedback. Through encounters with real designers and makers, children gain insight into how problems are solved in the wider world and what inspires people to create. By the end of their D&T journey in Reception and Key Stage 1, children will see themselves as capable innovators who can design with purpose, build with care and think creatively both now and in the future. As well as apply the problem-solving skills learnt into the other areas of the curriculum.