Design & Technology
Intent Statement
By the time our pupils leave Year 6, they will be creative and practical designers who can design, make and evaluate purposeful products. They will generate and communicate ideas, select and use materials and tools safely, and apply knowledge of structures, mechanisms and electrical systems.
Pupils will understand food and nutrition, preparing dishes and learning about healthy eating and where food comes from. They will evaluate products and understand how design and technology impacts the world. By the end of Year 6, our pupils will see themselves as designers—equipped to solve problems creatively and practically.
Policy
The policy for this subject can be found on our main policy section of the website.
National Curriculum
Useful Websites
Content coming.
Subject Progression Document
How can I help my child in this subject?
Design and Technology helps children develop creativity, problem-solving skills and practical knowledge. Children learn how to design, make and evaluate products for real purposes, using a range of materials including construction materials, textiles and food. They also learn how design is used in everyday life.
Families can support this learning by encouraging children to plan ideas, make things and reflect on what worked well.
Helping children in the Infants (Reception, Year 1 and Year 2)
At this stage, children are learning to explore materials, build structures and begin designing simple products.
You can help your child by:
Encouraging them to build and construct using blocks, recycled materials or construction toys.
Talking about how everyday objects work, such as doors, wheels, containers and packaging.
Supporting simple cutting, joining and shaping activities using paper, card or safe tools.
Cooking together and discussing where food comes from.
Encouraging your child to talk about what they are making and how they could improve it.
Looking at simple products at home and asking:
What is it for?
Who is it for?
How does it work?
Helping them practise handling tools safely, such as scissors and simple kitchen equipment.
At this stage, children benefit from exploring materials and beginning to think like designers and makers.
Helping children in the Lower Juniors (Year 3 and Year 4)
At this stage, children begin to plan their designs more carefully and use a wider range of tools, materials and techniques.
You can help your child by:
Encouraging them to draw and label simple design ideas before making something.
Supporting opportunities to build models and structures at home.
Talking about how products are designed for different purposes and users.
Cooking together and discussing healthy food choices and balanced meals.
Encouraging them to think about how to make their work stronger or more stable.
Looking at everyday objects together and discussing:
What materials are used?
Why were those materials chosen?
Supporting safe use of simple household tools where appropriate.
At this stage, children are learning to plan, make and improve their designs more independently.
Helping children in the Upper Juniors (Year 5 and Year 6)
At this stage, children begin to develop more detailed designs, apply technical knowledge and evaluate their work carefully.
You can help your child by:
Encouraging them to explain their ideas before making something and reflect afterwards on how it went.
Supporting projects that involve measuring, cutting, joining and strengthening materials.
Talking about how products are designed to be useful, appealing and suitable for different users.
Cooking together and discussing nutrition, ingredients and food preparation skills.
Encouraging your child to think about how products can be improved or adapted.
Discussing how design and technology are used in real-life careers, such as engineering, architecture, product design and food technology.
Asking questions such as:
What problem does your design solve?
What worked well?
What would you change next time?
At this stage, children are developing confidence in planning, making and evaluating purposeful products.
Supporting your child to enjoy Design and Technology at any age
You can support D&T learning by:
encouraging building and making activities at home
involving your child in cooking and food preparation
exploring how everyday objects are designed and used
providing recycled materials for creative projects
encouraging planning before making
celebrating effort and problem-solving
The most important thing you can do is help your child see that designing and making are valuable life skills that help solve real problems and develop creativity.