Design Technology
Intent
Our Design and Technology curriculum aims to inspire creativity, problem-solving and critical thinking through engaging, practical and innovative learning experiences. Pupils design, make and evaluate purposeful products while developing resilience, collaboration and confidence as designers and makers. The curriculum equips pupils with technical knowledge of structures, mechanisms, electrical systems, textiles and food technology while encouraging them to think critically about functionality, sustainability and user needs.
Through the three curriculum strands of Cook, Sew and Build, pupils progressively develop practical expertise and understanding of the iterative design process. The curriculum is carefully sequenced to build knowledge and skills over time, enabling pupils to apply prior learning creatively and purposefully. Pupils are encouraged to understand how design and technology influence everyday life and the wider world, preparing them for future learning and life in an ever-changing society.
Implementation
The D&T curriculum is delivered through project-based learning in which pupils explore, design, make and evaluate products across a range of meaningful contexts. Each unit follows the iterative design process:
- Research and investigate
- Design
- Make
- Evaluate
In Cook units, pupils develop an understanding of nutrition, healthy eating, food preparation and cooking techniques. In Sew units, pupils progressively develop textile skills including stitching, joining and decorating fabrics while considering sustainability and product design. In Build units, pupils explore structures, mechanisms and electrical systems through practical construction projects.
Pupils research users and existing products before generating ideas through annotated sketches, prototypes and design plans. They use a variety of tools, materials and techniques safely and accurately to create functional products before testing, refining and evaluating their work against design criteria and user needs.
Lessons are practical, cross-curricular and carefully sequenced to build technical knowledge and disciplinary understanding progressively across KS2. Links with Maths, Science, Art and Computing deepen understanding and provide meaningful real-world contexts. Pupils record their ideas, evaluations and reflections in design portfolios and sketchbooks, evidencing the full design journey from concept to final outcome.
Impact
By the end of KS2, pupils will confidently apply the design-make-evaluate process to solve real and relevant problems creatively and independently. They will demonstrate increasing technical knowledge and practical expertise across cooking, textiles, structures, mechanisms and electrical systems while using tools and materials safely and effectively. Pupils will be able to evaluate and refine their products thoughtfully, considering functionality, aesthetics, sustainability and the needs of the user. They will understand the importance of nutrition and healthy eating and will communicate their ideas using accurate subject-specific vocabulary, annotated sketches, prototypes and evaluations. The curriculum prepares pupils for the next stage of Design and Technology education while fostering creativity, innovation, resilience and practical life skills.
D.T. Curriculum Overview
D.T. Progression Overview
D.T. Substantive and Disciplinary Knowledge
DT Substantive and Disciplinary Knowledge
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