Design and Technology

Our Design and Technology (DT) curriculum will ensure that our children gain a practical understanding of the world around them, and become resilient, independent, creative thinkers and problem solvers. We want our children to understand the different factors that contribute to complex design decisions.

Following the National Curriculum and Early Years Framework, fundamental DT skills will be systematically developed, where core component knowledge will be sequentially built upon. When they leave us, our pupils will have mastered all aspects of the Design Technology process and be inspired to continue their journey as young designers and engineers into future learning and careers.

We will deliver a knowledge-rich curriculum that:

• Systematically develops the skills of designing, making, evaluating, using technological knowledge, and cooking and nutrition.
• Focusses exciting sequences of learning on discrete component skills and applies these to a meaningful composite outcome, allowing children to develop functional, appealing products that are aimed at individuals or groups and are fit for purpose. The emphasis here is on developing the skills required at each stage of the design process, rather than simply the product.
• Ensures children progressively master the use and application of a range of tools and equipment through the years, such as construction kits, needles and thread and mechanical components.
• Facilitates creative learning that provides opportunities for the development of higher order thinking skills.
• Promotes analytical thinking, in identifying the features, problems and solutions in products.

Our knowledge-rich Design and Technology curriculum is taught through a cyclical focus on the strands of structures, mechanical systems, electrical systems, textiles and cooking and nutrition. In Key Stage 1, unit foci include homes, moving pictures, puppets and a balanced diet. This is built upon further in Key Stage 2, with unit foci including moving toys, adapting a recipe, pavilions, pop-up books, bridges and healthy meals.