Design & Technology

Design and Technology challenges pupils to identify needs, generate ideas and create useful products. Learning combines creativity with practical knowledge, careful planning and evaluation.

At All Saints’, our Design and Technology curriculum enables pupils to develop the knowledge, practical skills and creativity they need to design and make purposeful products. Through a range of practical projects, pupils learn to identify needs, solve problems and develop ideas that respond to real-life situations. They are encouraged to be curious, resourceful and innovative, understanding how design and technology can improve everyday life.

Our curriculum progressively develops designing, making and evaluating skills, alongside technical knowledge and an understanding of materials, structures, mechanisms, electrical systems and cooking and nutrition. Learning is carefully sequenced so that pupils build on, revisit and refine prior knowledge and skills, developing increasing confidence and independence as designers and makers.

Pupils research users, communicate designs, select tools and materials, make prototypes and evaluate outcomes. They also learn about structures, mechanisms, textiles, food and the work of designers.

Pupils learn to design, construct and evaluate products for specific purposes and users. They explore existing products, investigate how things work and consider the needs of the people who will use their designs. They develop the ability to generate ideas, communicate their thinking through drawings and plans, select appropriate materials and tools, and make products that meet a design brief.

Through practical experiences, pupils develop skills in cutting, shaping, joining, assembling and finishing materials. They explore structures, mechanisms and systems, learning how different components work together to achieve a particular purpose. Cooking and nutrition provide opportunities to develop practical food preparation skills and understand the importance of a varied and balanced diet.

Pupils also develop problem-solving, creativity, resilience and teamwork. They learn that designing involves testing ideas, identifying challenges and making improvements. By evaluating their own products and those of others, pupils develop the confidence to explain their decisions, recognise strengths and suggest ways to improve their work.

Teaching and Learning

DT is taught through carefully sequenced units in which teachers explicitly introduce key knowledge, technical vocabulary, tools, materials and processes. Demonstrations, modelling, questioning and guided practice support pupils in developing secure practical skills and understanding how to work safely and effectively.

Learning follows an iterative design process, giving pupils opportunities to investigate, plan, make, test and improve their products. Pupils explore existing products and design briefs, identify problems and consider the needs of users before generating and communicating their own ideas.

During construction, pupils learn to select and use materials, tools and techniques appropriately. They test their products against their design criteria, identify what works well and make modifications where necessary. Evaluation is an important part of the process, helping pupils understand that successful design involves reflection, testing and continuous improvement.

Practical activities encourage pupils to take creative risks, learn from mistakes and develop perseverance. Teachers provide appropriate support and challenge so that pupils can apply their knowledge, work with increasing independence and take pride in the products they create.

Projects become increasingly demanding as pupils apply knowledge from mathematics, science, computing and art to real design problems.

Learning progresses from exploring materials, joining components and constructing simple products towards developing more complex designs that incorporate a wider range of materials, mechanisms, structures and technical processes.

Pupils build their understanding of how products are designed to meet particular needs and purposes. They develop increasing accuracy in measuring, cutting, joining and assembling materials, alongside greater independence in planning, making decisions and solving problems.

As pupils move through the school, they learn to consider the functionality, appearance, sustainability and suitability of their designs. They develop an understanding of how products are shaped by users, available resources, technological developments and environmental considerations.

The DT Learning Journey ensures that knowledge and practical skills build systematically on prior learning. All pupils are supported to access the same ambitious curriculum through explicit teaching, demonstrations, scaffolding, adapted resources and appropriate challenge.

By the end of each key stage, pupils should be able to design, construct and evaluate products with increasing confidence and skill. They should be able to communicate their ideas, select suitable materials and techniques, work safely, test their products and use evaluation to make meaningful improvements.

Inclusion, Enrichment and Impact

Our DT curriculum provides an inclusive environment where every child is encouraged to explore ideas, solve problems and develop confidence as a designer and maker. Pupils learn to value different approaches, collaborate effectively and respect the contributions of others.

Learning is enriched through practical projects, opportunities to investigate everyday products and links to real-life problems and contexts. Where appropriate, pupils explore the work of designers, engineers and inventors, helping them understand how design and technology influence the world around them. Cross-curricular links with mathematics, science, computing and Art and Design enable pupils to apply their knowledge and skills in meaningful ways.

Teachers assess pupils’ progress through observation, questioning, design plans, practical work, finished products and evaluation activities. This helps identify strengths, address misconceptions and ensure that pupils have opportunities to revisit skills, deepen their technical understanding and improve their designs.

The impact of our curriculum is evident when pupils can retain and apply technical knowledge, use tools and materials safely, make purposeful design decisions, solve practical problems and evaluate the effectiveness of their products. Pupils develop the confidence to explain their thinking, learn from challenges and recognise how their ideas can be turned into successful outcomes.

Ultimately, we want every child to leave All Saints’ with a strong foundation of technical knowledge, practical skills and creative confidence. We want our pupils to be curious, resourceful and resilient, understanding that thoughtful design can solve problems and improve lives. Through Design and Technology, we aim to nurture innovative thinkers who are confident to design, construct and evaluate, applying their learning to new challenges and making a positive contribution to the world around them.