Design and Technology

DT Curriculum Intent

Our design and technology curriculum develops pupils’ creativity, practical skills and technical understanding through purposeful design and making activities. Pupils are taught to design, make and evaluate products that solve real and relevant problems, working independently and collaboratively. The curriculum is carefully sequenced so that pupils build secure technical knowledge and skills over time. Pupils develop an understanding of materials, structures, mechanisms and food and nutrition, and learn how to use tools, equipment and techniques safely and effectively. Key knowledge, skills and vocabulary are revisited through intelligent repetition to support confidence and progression.

Strong foundations are established in the early years through exploration and construction, supporting children to develop early making skills and an understanding of how things work. As pupils progress through the school, they develop increasing independence and precision in designing, making and evaluating.

Our design and technology curriculum is ambitious and inclusive, designed to be accessible to all pupils, including those with SEND. By the end of primary school, pupils have the technical knowledge and practical skills needed to design and make functional products and to evaluate their effectiveness.

DT Subject Overview

The design and technology subject overview shows how key technical knowledge and practical skills are organised and revisited across each year group to support progression and retention over time.

How DT is Taught

Design and technology is taught through a carefully sequenced curriculum that develops pupils’ technical knowledge and practical skills progressively over time. New learning builds on prior knowledge so that pupils can apply and refine skills with increasing confidence and independence. Lessons are structured around the design process, giving pupils opportunities to research, design, make and evaluate products. Pupils learn how to select and use tools, equipment and materials safely and effectively, and are supported to understand how different materials, structures and mechanisms work. Teaching focuses on clear modelling, guided practice and opportunities for pupils to test, refine and evaluate their ideas. Key vocabulary and technical concepts are explicitly taught and revisited to support understanding and progression.

In the early years, children develop foundational design and making skills through exploration, construction and imaginative play. As pupils move through the school, they are supported to plan, make and evaluate with increasing accuracy, control and precision.

Adaptive Teaching

Our design and technology curriculum is designed to be inclusive and accessible to all pupils, including those with SEND and those who may face barriers to learning. Adaptations are made through high-quality teaching so that all pupils can engage with the same design and making activities. Practical tasks are carefully structured to support pupils’ understanding and confidence. Where appropriate, materials may be pre-prepared or partially assembled so that pupils can focus on key skills and concepts. Practical processes are modelled clearly and repeated as needed, with visual instructions or photo sequences used to support independence. Pupils are supported during the safe use of tools and equipment through clear demonstrations and, where necessary, additional adult guidance. These adaptations ensure that all pupils can participate fully in the design process and develop technical skills and understanding over time.

Impact

The impact of our design and technology curriculum is that pupils develop a secure understanding of the design process and the technical knowledge needed to create functional products. Pupils can plan, make and evaluate their work, selecting appropriate materials, tools and techniques and reflecting on how well their designs meet a given purpose. They demonstrate increasing independence, accuracy and confidence when working practically. By the end of primary school, pupils have developed the practical skills and technical understanding needed to design and make products safely and effectively, and to evaluate their work thoughtfully.