Design and Technology

Welcome to our Design and Technology (D&T) Curriculum section!

At our school, we believe that Design and Technology inspires pupils to think creatively and solve real-life problems through designing and making. Our curriculum encourages children to combine practical skills with knowledge from other subjects, especially Science, to create innovative products that meet genuine needs.

This section provides an overview of our D&T curriculum, the National Curriculum aims, and highlights of recent projects and activities across the school. Please check back regularly as we update this page frequently with news and photos of our latest creations!

Our Vision for Design and Technology

Our D&T curriculum is designed to engage, excite and challenge all learners. It enables pupils to develop essential life skills such as problem-solving, resilience, teamwork and independent thinking. By following a clear progression of skills and knowledge, children build on their learning year after year, becoming confident designers and makers.

Through hands-on experiences, pupils learn to design purposeful products, select appropriate materials and tools, and evaluate their work thoughtfully. We aim to nurture creativity, technical understanding and an appreciation of how design shapes our world.

Curriculum Implementation

We implement our D&T curriculum by organising learning around meaningful projects linked to class topics. Each year group completes several D&T projects annually.

Projects are structured around three key stages:

• Design: Pupils research, generate ideas and plan their products using sketches, templates and discussions.
• Make: Children select and use tools and materials safely, developing practical techniques in areas such as construction, textiles, mechanisms and food technology.
• Evaluate: Pupils test and reflect on their designs, considering what worked well and how improvements can be made.

Skills and knowledge are taught side by side, ensuring depth and continuity across the years. From building structures in Early Years to creating electrical systems in Key Stage 2, every child gains rich, progressive experiences in design and technology.

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

In the Early Years, children begin their Design and Technology journey through simple, creative activities such as cutting, sticking, and constructing with everyday materials. These experiences focus on developing fine motor skills, exploring different textures, and understanding basic concepts of making and building. Through play and hands-on exploration, pupils learn to experiment, problem-solve, and express their ideas, laying the foundations for more structured design work in later years.

KS1

In Design and Technology, children develop creativity and practical skills through exciting, hands-on projects. In Year 1, pupils explore simple making and design by creating picnic foods, celebration cards, and memory boxes, as well as experimenting with mechanisms and moving models. They also learn about food origins and landmarks, linking their work to real-world contexts. In Year 2, projects become more structured, with children designing and making finger puppets, baking, and constructing towers, bridges, and tunnels. They begin to select appropriate tools and materials, apply design criteria, and refine their ideas. Across both years, pupils progress from basic making and evaluation to problem-solving and thoughtful design, building confidence and imagination along the way.

KS2

In Design and Technology, children develop creativity and practical skills through exciting, hands-on projects. In Year 1, pupils explore simple making and design by creating picnic foods, celebration cards, and memory boxes, as well as experimenting with mechanisms and moving models. They also learn about food origins and landmarks, linking their work to real-world contexts. In Year 2, projects become more structured, with children designing and making finger puppets, baking, and constructing towers, bridges, and tunnels. They begin to select appropriate tools and materials, apply design criteria, and refine their ideas. Across both years, pupils progress from basic making and evaluation to problem-solving and thoughtful design, building confidence and imagination along the way. These skills lay the foundation for future learning by fostering critical thinking, resilience, and creativity, which are essential for tackling more complex design challenges in later years.

Activities you can try at home...

• Junk modelling – create a model of an NHS emergency vehicle using recyclable materials.
• Help an adult with some DIY around the house.
• Design and make a birdhouse.
• Make a card for a friend or family member including a lever. 
• Follow instructions with useful diagrams to undertake engineering projects at home. There are challenges at the end of the tasks to develop your skills further, testing out your designs and models.
• Have a go at making delicious recipes!

 

D&T

 

We hope you enjoy exploring our Design and Technology curriculum. Together, we’re designing the future — one idea at a time!