Design Technology (DT)
Design and Technology
Intent – What do we want our children to learn?
At Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School, we believe that Design and Technology (D&T) provides children with exciting opportunities to develop their creativity, imagination and practical skills. We aim to inspire children to become confident, independent and innovative thinkers who can design, make and evaluate products that solve real-life problems.
Our curriculum encourages children to think critically, take risks, solve problems and develop resilience as they explore their own ideas. Through engaging, purposeful projects, children develop the knowledge and skills needed to design and create products for a range of purposes and users.
We aim to provide a broad and balanced curriculum that develops children's understanding of four key areas: structures, mechanisms, textiles, and cooking and nutrition. Children are encouraged to consider the functionality and purpose of their designs while developing an understanding of healthy eating, food preparation and the safe use of tools and equipment.
Through meaningful links with subjects such as science, mathematics, art and geography, we aim to help children recognise the importance of Design and Technology in everyday life and the wider world.
Ultimately, we want our children to leave primary school with the confidence, creativity and practical skills to approach challenges with curiosity, perseverance and independence.
Implementation – How do we teach Design and Technology?
At Holy Trinity, Design and Technology is taught through the Cornerstones Curriculum, which provides a carefully sequenced programme of engaging, practical projects from Year 1 to Year 6.
Our curriculum is designed to build progressively on children's knowledge, understanding and skills, ensuring that learning becomes increasingly challenging as children move through the school.
Each project follows a clear design process in which children are encouraged to:
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Research and explore existing products, materials and techniques.
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Design and plan purposeful products that meet specific needs and design criteria.
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Make and create using an increasingly wide range of tools, materials and practical techniques.
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Test and evaluate their finished products, reflecting on their effectiveness and identifying possible improvements.
In Key Stage 1, children are introduced to basic design and making skills. They explore simple structures, wheels and axles, food preparation and textiles, developing confidence in using tools and materials safely.
In Lower Key Stage 2, children build on these foundations by exploring more complex mechanisms, strengthening structures, developing sewing techniques and understanding healthy eating and food safety. They begin to make more informed design decisions and develop greater independence in their practical work.
In Upper Key Stage 2, children apply their knowledge to increasingly sophisticated challenges. They explore pneumatic systems, architecture, computer-aided design, electrical systems and more advanced textile techniques. Children are encouraged to refine their ideas, solve problems and evaluate their work critically.
Throughout the curriculum, practical learning is at the heart of our approach. Children have opportunities to experiment, practise new techniques and apply their skills creatively. Links with other curriculum subjects help children understand how their learning can be applied in real-world situations.
We place a strong emphasis on safe working practices, teamwork, independence and the development of subject-specific vocabulary, ensuring that all children can participate confidently and successfully.
Impact – What difference does our curriculum make?
By the time children leave Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School, we aim for them to have developed a secure foundation of knowledge, understanding and practical skills in Design and Technology.
Our children will be able to:
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Confidently use the design, make and evaluate process to create purposeful products.
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Apply a growing range of practical skills, tools and techniques safely and effectively.
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Demonstrate creativity, imagination and independence when solving problems.
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Understand the importance of evaluating their work and making improvements.
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Explain their design choices using appropriate technical vocabulary.
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Apply their understanding of structures, mechanisms, textiles, and cooking and nutrition.
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Recognise the importance of healthy eating, food hygiene and making informed food choices.
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Show resilience, perseverance and pride in their achievements.
The impact of our curriculum is reflected in children's developing confidence, independence and ability to apply their learning to increasingly complex design challenges.
Through practical experiences, discussion, evaluation and completed projects, children have opportunities to demonstrate their growing knowledge and skills.
Above all, we want our children to develop a lasting enthusiasm for designing, creating and problem-solving, recognising that their ideas have value and that they have the ability to make a positive difference to the world around them.