A roadmap for primary design skills and knowledge

This printable PDF document outlines the progression of DT skills and knowledge in EYFS, KS1 and KS2 and how it aligns with the National curriculum. For primary teachers looking for an engaging DT scheme of work, our progression of skills and knowledge helps deliver a comprehensive D&T curriculum. 

How can I use this document to plan my DT curriculum effectively?

The Kapow Primary D&T scheme of work follows a structured, spiral curriculum. This document is a valuable tool for primary D&T planning, enabling you to see how skills and knowledge build upon each other from year to year. 

The document supports subject leaders and teachers when planning the D&T curriculum by outlining the progression of skills throughout KS1 and KS2 and showing which lessons support that progression. Use it during your planning process to ensure each year group builds on the previous one, with clear guidance on which lessons to focus on at each stage.

How do DT skills and knowledge develop at Kapow Primary?

This document outlines the development of D&T knowledge across all year groups, ensuring a clear pathway for pupil learning. Progression is broken down into six key areas:

• Cooking and nutrition: discovering where food comes from; creating a balanced diet; following kitchen hygiene and safety; developing preparation and cooking skills; following a recipe. 
• Mechanisms: using cams, followers, levers and sliders to mimic natural movements.
• Structures: learning about the properties of materials; improving a structure’s strength and stability; reinforcing structures.
• Textiles: using fabric techniques to fasten, sew and decorate.
• Electrical systems: creating electrical products using series circuits, circuit components, circuit diagrams and symbols.
• Digital world: programming products to perform tasks; developing 2D and 3D designs and models using CAD software.

What other Kapow Primary resources support primary DT teaching? 

• For our standard D&T scheme, see D&T: Long-term plan.
• If you follow our Long-term plan – condensed, see the corresponding Progression of skills and knowledge – condensed.
• If you subscribe to both subjects and follow our alternating Art and D&T long-term plan, see the corresponding Art and D&T: Progression of skills and knowledge.
• If you follow our Long-term plan – mixed-age, see the corresponding Progression of skills and knowledge – mixed-age version.
• See how children begin their Kapow creative journey with our EYFS (Reception) D&T units. 
• To learn how children develop skills, see our D&T KS1 units.
• Explore more of Kapow’s D&T scheme by browsing our Lower KS2, Upper KS2  and Mixed-age units.