Design and Technology (D&T)

Led by: Miss Bilton

The Nature of Design and Technology

Design and Technology is a dynamic subject where children evaluate, design, and make purposeful products to meet specific needs. It enables pupils to understand and shape the world around them by solving real-life problems both individually and collaboratively.

Through D&T, children:

• Learn to think creatively and critically

• Develop practical skills across a wide range of materials and techniques

• Explore existing products, past and present, to understand their function and design decisions

• Are encouraged to become innovators and problem-solvers

D&T nurtures resilience, ingenuity, and reflective thinking, all of which are essential in becoming thoughtful and capable citizens.

Curriculum Intent

Our high-quality design and technology curriculum is inspiring, rigorous, and practical. It is carefully planned to enable children to design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of meaningful contexts.

Key aims of our D&T curriculum:

• Encourage children to consider their own and others’ needs, wants, and values in the design process

• Foster cross-curricular connections with maths, science, computing, and art

• Enable children to take risks and become resourceful, innovative, and capable citizens

• Cultivate a critical understanding of how design and technology affects our lives and the wider world

• Support children to see how D&T contributes to the creativity, culture, wealth, and wellbeing of society

Curriculum Implementation

We ensure the successful delivery of our intent through the following approaches:

• Children are given opportunities to explore all five key strands of design and technology:

  • Mechanisms

  • Structures

  • Textiles

  • Cooking and Nutrition

  • Electrical Systems (as developmentally appropriate)

• Projects are carefully crafted around the six key principles of effective D&T teaching:

  • User

  • Purpose

  • Functionality

  • Design Decisions

  • Innovation

  • Authenticity

• Teaching sequences include:

  • Investigating and Evaluating Activities (IEAs) – exploring existing products

  • Focused Practical Tasks (FPTs) – developing specific skills and techniques

  • Designing, Making and Evaluating Assignments (DMEAs) – applying knowledge to create a final product

• Lessons are clearly sequenced, building knowledge over time toward defined end points

• Subject-specific vocabulary is taught and used consistently, supporting clear and confident communication

• Children are encouraged to present and justify their design choices in a variety of appropriate formats

• Through our cooking and nutrition strand, pupils:

  • Learn the principles of a healthy and varied diet

  • Prepare simple dishes

  • Understand where food comes from

  • Recognise and respect diverse food cultures within society

• Our work towards the Eco Schools award supports the development of children's social responsibility, including awareness of how food production and personal choices impact the environment

Please click the links below to access key Design and Technology documents: