Design and Technology

Intent

At Prendergast our Design and Technology curriculum aims to develop creative, practical and reflective learners who can design and make products that solve real and relevant problems. We want pupils to become confident innovators who are willing to take risks, test ideas and learn from mistakes.

The curriculum is sequenced across the year groups, ensuring pupils progressively build skills in designing, making, evaluating and technical knowledge across textiles, structures, mechanisms, food and electrical systems. Learning is rooted in real-life contexts and linked where appropriate to other curriculum areas, helping pupils understand the purpose and impact of design and technology in everyday life.

By the time pupils leave our school, they will have developed the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to think creatively, work independently and apply their learning to new challenges.

Implementation

Design and Technology is taught through a series of well-planned, practical units across each year group, following a clear design process: investigating existing products, designing, making, evaluating and applying technical knowledge.

In EYFS, Design and Technology is embedded within Expressive Arts and Design, Physical Development and Understanding the World. Children explore materials, tools and construction through play-based experiences that develop fine motor skills, creativity and problem-solving.

In Key Stage 1, pupils develop basic skills through projects involving textiles, structures, mechanisms and food preparation. They learn to use tools safely, join materials and evaluate their work.

In Key Stage 2, pupils build on these foundations by working with increasing accuracy and independence. They explore more complex structures, mechanisms, textiles and electrical systems, applying their knowledge to purposeful designs.

Across all year groups, learning is hands-on and inclusive, with explicit teaching of vocabulary, opportunities for collaboration and regular evaluation. Cross-curricular links and real-world contexts support pupils in understanding how design and technology connects to everyday life.