Design and Technology

Design and Technology (D&T) offers pupils the opportunity to explore the impact that technology has on our lives. It delves into how innovation has shaped and continues to influence the everchanging world. It promotes creativity and curiosity, providing a way for pupils to begin to ask questions and work practically to find their own innovative solutions to design challenges.

D&T Curriculum Intent

Pupils are supported to understand their local environment though the exploration of technology and to extrapolate understanding of small-scale projects to application in the wider world. They learn to be inquisitive and methodical and develop the ability to evaluate and assess whether a product is fit for purpose; a key skill for life as a consumer.

Progressive layering of knowledge, embedded in long-term memory:

Develop their skills and knowledge across five key areas: structures, mechanisms, electrical systems, cooking and nutrition and textiles
Understand how to design purposeful, appealing products for different functions
Exploring existing designs and understand how these things work
Plan and practise their ideas in different ways e.g., drawings, templates, and mock ups
Use a range of tools to perform practical tasks
Select materials or components that are fit for purpose
Evaluate and learn from our own and existing products to make improvements

Conceptual Understanding – occurs when new information and ideas are incorporated into pupils’ existing knowledge framework and includes:

To have an appreciation of how technology shapes the way we live and a genuine interest in how it is embedded in our day-to-day lives
To understand how a product is designed for a particular function
To explore different practical methods, evaluating their effectiveness and identifying the best outcome
To have an awareness of different tools and be able to select the correct tool for a particular job
To use our understanding of materials to select the appropriate one that is fit for purpose
The ability to reach clear conclusions and explain their findings, using this to make suggestions for improvements to the product

D&T Curriculum Implementation

To achieve our intent, our Design and Technology curriculum will provide the following:

A progressive, sequential journey of knowledge, skills, and concepts from EYFS to Year 6, encompassing the depth and breadth of the D&T curriculum
Immersion in studies relating to design and technology in our everyday lives and the wider world
Opportunities to address cultural capital disadvantage
A focus on subject specific vocabulary to equip pupils with the language to express their design and technology knowledge with precision and confidence
Explicit links with high quality examples of products and design models which provide contextual links and reinforce understanding of design and technology
Key outcomes, described as ‘sticky knowledge,’ which form the foundation of prior and subsequent learning
Higher order, subject-specific questions for pupils to respond to and demonstrate knowledge and understanding of
Enhanced learning through memorable experiences and visiting experts
Adaptable approaches that enable all pupils opportunities to explore technology and experience success
Pre-teaching of vocabulary relating to design and technology for pupils with additional needs
Learning opportunities that heighten pupils’ awareness of the significance and impact of design and technology on the quality and experience of life in the 21st century

D&T Curriculum Impact

Pupils will have a curiosity about the world around them
They will be able to make informed, evaluative decisions about the products that they use
Pupils will understand that experimentation is an opportunity to develop ideas and that there is not always only one correct way to be innovative in design
They will have the skills and knowledge to select appropriate tools and materials, evaluating their choices
Pupils will develop confidence in recognising effective implementation of design and technology and be able to make informed choices about products used in everyday life