Technology is touching almost every part of our lives, our communities and homes.  It is a big part of our world today and a plays a significant role in our children’s learning.  Design and technology encourages and develops a number of skills such as independence; critical thinking; adaptability; communication; initiative and as well as flourishing their curiosity and imagination. Through the study of Design and Technology at Heathrow Primary School, the children will learn to develop, plan and communicate ideas within a group and to turn those ideas into a reality through the use of working with tools, equipment, materials and components. Throughout the course of their learning, children will be evaluating and reflecting upon the processes and choices that they have made. Design and Technology helps all children to become astute and informed future consumers and potential innovators. Heathrow Primary school follows the 'Kapow' scheme. This scheme is easily adapted to suit any needs as well possessing a clear progression which is can be closely monitored.  The skills which the children will be exposed to are: 

• _{Cooking and nutrition}
• _{Mechanical systems}
• _Textiles
• _{Electrical systems}
• _Structures
• _{Digital world}

_{Each year group will have the opportunity to experience these modules at some point during the academic year.} 

Intent

Across the year groups, children will be presented with realistic and relatable problems or scenarios within a variety of contexts that encourage the children to expand and nurture their creativity and imagination to think of products that will help solve these problems. Pupils will need to think of the needs and values of others’ as well as their own.

Implementation

In every class at Heathrow Primary School, we follow the six, interrelated principles that have been agreed by the National Curriculum Expert Group for D&T. They describe the features of a genuine D&T experience from the pupils’ perspective and can be applied to all material areas and aspects of the subject. Each principle should be evident to a greater or lesser degree in each project that pupils undertake. The principles do not represent an exhaustive list, but provide a helpful starting point for clarifying and securing the distinctive nature of D&T in the classroom. The new National Curriculum requirements are consistent with the six principles:

• User
• Purpose
• Functionality
• Design Decisions
• Innovation
• Authenticity

Impact

Through following the six principles, children will understand the need for new products and innovation and learn how and why these products function. During their learning, children will understand the importance of design decisions and how they impact the end product. When designing and making, pupils need some scope to be original with their thinking. Projects that encourage innovation lead to a range of design ideas and products being developed and are characterised by engaging open-ended starting points for learning. Pupils will also learn the need to design and make products that are believable, real and meaningful to themselves and others. The evaluation process will enable children to develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world. As designers children will develop transferable skills and attributes that can be used beyond school and into adulthood and future careers.