Intent

Our Design and Technology (DT) curriculum aims to inspire students to think about the important and integral role which design, and the creation of designed products play in our society. Everything we use, from the interior of the bus to the office chair, the lemon squeezer, potato peeler, car door or latest fashion has been designed. Design is also central to the clever solutions we need to address the global problems we face, such as windfarms, solar panels, electric cars, micro farms, energy saving lightbulbs, sustainable fashion – the list is endless.  

Implementation

Our DT curriculum is divided into three different strands:  

• Cook
• Sew
• Build

In ‘cook’ pupils will learn to cook from recipes which gradually build basic culinary skills. Whilst studying these practical skills they learn about concepts relating to food such as nutrition, seasonality, food production, transportation, and food from different cultures. We benefit from the Mustard Seed Kitchen, a wonderful teaching space. 

In ‘sew’ pupils practise using fabric and thread to learn basic sewing techniques to create objects which demonstrate embroidery, appliqué, weaving and plaiting. Concepts such as the properties and creation of different fabrics, fast fashion, industrialisation, waste, recycling, and pollution are interwoven into these activities. 

In ‘build’ students learn about the creation of structures and mechanical and electrical devices to create products such as cars, moving cards, toys, and books. Through this they learn about concepts such as force, motion, and the properties of materials. 

Two different ‘aspects’ of design are interwoven into the three strands: the environment and sustainability, and enterprise and innovation. These ‘aspects’ acknowledge enduring and contemporary concerns of modern design.

Impact

The DT curriculum is sequenced to enable the students to become familiar with, understand and practise the process of design through:  

• Research and investigation
• Design
• Making
• Using and evaluation

The planning for each unit of work specifies the product the children will make, the purpose and user of the product. The students’ understanding of key skills and concepts builds from year to year, assessing and cementing prior learning.