At our school, Design and Technology is an inspiring and practical subject that encourages children to become creative thinkers, innovative designers and confident problem-solvers. Through a carefully sequenced curriculum, pupils develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to design, make and evaluate products for a range of real-life purposes. Our curriculum provides opportunities to explore food technology, textiles, structures, mechanisms and electronics, ensuring children experience a broad and balanced range of design experiences. 

We believe that every child can be a designer. Pupils are encouraged to ask questions, investigate problems, generate ideas and take risks in their learning. They learn that successful design is rarely achieved on the first attempt and that mistakes are a valuable part of the creative process. Through testing, evaluating and refining their work, children develop resilience, independence and the confidence to persevere when faced with challenges. Rather than focusing solely on the finished product, we celebrate the learning journey, encouraging children to take risks, learn from setbacks and continually improve their ideas. 

Collaboration is at the heart of our curriculum. Children work together to share ideas, solve problems and learn from one another. They are encouraged to think outside the box, engineer solutions and consider how their products can meet the needs of different users. Throughout their Design and Technology journey, pupils develop creativity, teamwork, practical skills and critical thinking, preparing them for the challenges of the future. 

A Cross-Curricular Approach

Design and Technology provides meaningful opportunities for children to apply learning from across the curriculum. Pupils use mathematical skills when measuring, weighing, calculating, designing to scale and working with accuracy. Literacy skills are developed through researching products, recording ideas, writing instructions, creating recipes, evaluating products and communicating design choices. Wherever possible, projects are linked to class topics, allowing children to apply their knowledge from history, geography, science and other curriculum areas in purposeful and engaging contexts.

Our Design Journey

Across the school, every Design and Technology project follows the same design process:

Research → Plan → Skills → Make → Evaluate

Children begin by researching existing products, materials and users' needs. They explore and evaluate products, investigate designs and learn about significant designers, engineers and inventors linked to their current unit of work. These real-world role models help children understand how creativity, innovation and perseverance have shaped the world around us.

Pupils then design and plan their own products before learning and practising the specific technical skills required for the project. During the making stage, children apply their knowledge to create a final product, testing and adapting their work along the way. Finally, they evaluate their designs, gather feedback from others and identify ways to improve their products. This process helps children understand that great design often develops through experimentation, reflection and repeated improvement. 

Learning journeys are recorded in class floor books, where children's research, designs, evaluations, written work and photographs showcase the progression of each project from initial ideas to finished products. These floor books celebrate creativity, collaboration, problem-solving and achievement while providing a valuable record of learning across the school.

Learning from Designers and Engineers

Throughout each unit, children study significant designers, engineers, inventors and innovators whose work has influenced the world around us. These individuals are carefully selected to complement the project being studied and help children understand how Design and Technology can solve real-world problems. By learning about their achievements, children gain an appreciation of the creativity, determination and resilience needed to transform ideas into successful products and innovations.

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

In EYFS, children begin to explore Design and Technology through hands-on experiences, construction, model making, role play and creative activities. They investigate materials, build structures, solve simple problems and create products through their own ideas and interests. Through play-based learning, children develop curiosity, imagination, resilience and fine motor skills, creating strong foundations for future Design and Technology learning.

Year 1

Children explore simple mechanisms, food preparation and textiles through projects including Christmas cards, fruit salad and finger puppets. They begin to design, make and evaluate products while developing basic cutting, joining and sewing skills. 

Year 2

Children develop their understanding of structures, mechanisms and food technology through moving cars, homes and houses, and healthy snacks. They learn about wheels and axles, strengthen structures and design products for different users. 

Year 3

Pupils build on their previous learning through projects such as scrapyard grabbers, healthy pizzas and kites. They develop construction skills, explore more complex mechanisms and begin creating products that balance both function and appearance. 

Year 4

Children apply their skills through designing bridges, creating electronic alarms and making cushions. They learn about load-bearing structures, electrical circuits and textile construction while refining and improving their designs through testing and evaluation. 

Year 5

Year 5 pupils use creativity and innovation to design catapults, create marble runs and prepare healthy food from the Americas. They further develop their understanding of mechanisms, structures and food technology while creating products for specific users and purposes. 

Year 6

Pupils complete ambitious projects including building furniture for bears, designing carousels and creating phone holders. They apply advanced skills in structures, electronics and textiles while considering quality, functionality, user needs and product effectiveness. 

The Impact of Our Curriculum

By the time children leave our school, they are confident and capable designers who can research, plan, create and evaluate products independently. They understand how designers, engineers and inventors have shaped the modern world and recognise the importance of creativity, collaboration and resilience. They can think critically, solve problems creatively, work effectively as part of a team and confidently communicate their ideas. Most importantly, they leave with the confidence to take risks, learn from failure, adapt their thinking and continue developing as innovative thinkers for the future!