At the end of this month the Exemplar Scheme of Work for Design and Technology in Primary Schools will be published by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. The publication, created with the help of the Design and Technology Association, the Standards and Effectiveness Unit and the Department for Education and Employment, is built on tried and tested units of work from the DATA Guidance Materials for Key Stages 1 and 2. The scheme is similar in format to the science and IT schemes sent to schools in the summer term and aims to save teachers time on long and medium-term planning. But teachers must recognise it is an exemplar - it is not designed to replace your own scheme if that is working well, but can help you review your current work.

A useful booklet gives advice on planning and offers 24 units of work, one for each term and an alternative for one of the units each year. Each unit provides information and guidance on the context, prior learning, vocabulary, resources, expectations, learning objectives and outcomes, as well as possible teaching activities and points to note - including details on content, management, safety and out-of-school activities.

DATA Helpsheets, available early next year, will complement each unit of work. These will provide simple advice and guidance on techniques, processes, knowledge and useful tips, from those who have taught them to those wishing to use them.

DATA, Wellesbourne House, 16 Walton Road, Wellesbourne, Warwick CV35 9JB