Design and Technology

‘A high-quality design and technology education should inspire in pupils curiosity, creativity and imagination, and equip them with the practical skills to design and make high-quality products for a wide range of users.’ (The National Curriculum 2013)

The aims of the design and technology curriculum are to enable children to develop their creative, technical and practical skills needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world. Children are taught to design, make and evaluate products, and to understand and apply principles of nutrition and cooking.

In the Early Years Foundation Stage (Reception), design and technology opportunities are embedded throughout the learning environment, allowing children to explore materials, construction and problem-solving as part of their play and investigation.

From Year 1, the national curriculum is followed. In Key Stage 1, children are taught to design purposeful, functional and appealing products, select from a range of tools and materials, and build structures, exploring how they can be made stronger, stiffer and more stable.

In Key Stage 2, children develop their understanding of the design process further, generating and communicating ideas through discussion, sketches and prototypes. They apply their technical knowledge to more complex structures, mechanisms, electrical systems and computer control. Cooking and nutrition are also an important part of the DT curriculum, enabling children to understand where food comes from and how to prepare healthy dishes.

DT Overview