Design Technology

Intent

At Wallands Community Primary School, our Design and Technology curriculum reflects our ethos of nurturing curious, confident and creative learners within an inclusive and supportive community. Guided by the National Curriculum’s vision of D&T as an “inspiring, rigorous and practical subject”, we provide rich opportunities for pupils to design, make and evaluate products that solve real and relevant problems.

Our curriculum is carefully sequenced to build technical knowledge, practical skills and design thinking progressively from Early Years to Year 6, ensuring every child can achieve success. In line with Ofsted’s expectations for an ambitious, well‑structured curriculum, we prioritise vocabulary development, hands‑on learning and meaningful cross‑curricular links with subjects such as science, mathematics, computing and art.

Through thoughtful teaching and purposeful projects, we empower pupils to take risks, think critically about design in the wider world, and develop the independence and resilience needed to become innovative, resourceful citizens.

Implementation

At Wallands Community Primary School, our Design and Technology curriculum is implemented through the CUSP (Curriculum by Unity Schools Partnership) framework, which provides a clear, knowledge‑rich and highly sequenced structure from Year 1 to Year 6. CUSP ensures that key concepts, technical knowledge and disciplinary skills are revisited and built upon over time, enabling pupils to develop secure understanding and increasing independence.

Each unit follows a consistent design ‑ make ‑ evaluate cycle, with explicit teaching of technical vocabulary and opportunities for pupils to apply prior learning in meaningful, practical contexts. Teachers use CUSP’s carefully crafted lesson sequences, knowledge notes and retrieval practice to strengthen long‑term memory and ensure all pupils, including those with SEND, can access and succeed within the curriculum. Practical modelling, structured scaffolds and high‑quality resources support pupils in developing competence with tools, materials and components across textiles, mechanisms, structures, electrical systems and food technology.

Cross‑curricular links with science, mathematics, computing and art are intentionally planned to deepen understanding and make learning purposeful. Regular assessment, including observation, discussion and review of final products, informs next steps and ensures progression is consistent across the school.

 Impact

Our Design and Technology curriculum equips pupils with the knowledge, skills and confidence to become thoughtful, capable and innovative designers. By the end of each key stage, pupils can apply technical vocabulary accurately, make informed design decisions and evaluate their own and others’ work with increasing independence.

They demonstrate resilience, creativity and pride in producing high‑quality outcomes that reflect their growing understanding of how design shapes the world around them. Assessment is ongoing and purposeful: teachers use questioning, observation and review of final products to identify strengths and next steps, ensuring learning is secure and progressive.

As a result, pupils leave Wallands with a strong foundation of practical skills, an appreciation of design in everyday life, and the confidence to take risks, solve problems and think critically — preparing them for future learning and for contributing positively to an ever‑changing technological society.

Wallands Community Primary and Nursery School Curriculum Overview: Design Technology

Design Technology - Progression of Skills, Knowledge and Vocabulary 2025

Try This at Home

Free DT ideas/activities for children/families to try at home

Design Museum Colour, cut and build to create your own design project

Practical Action Stem Challenges which will engage children in real world issues from climate change to renewable energy

Be an Engineer at home Choose a project and get creating at home

Make & Do at Home A series of short films the designers who pass on their top tips and design know-how to provide children with ideas and inspiration to get creative

Project Mouse Choose one below and follow the steps to design something original and learn some new tech skills

Helpful websites and other links

Food Fact Of Life Interactive learning activities for children, as well as activity and information sheets

https://www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/ Website with great tips and recipes to reduce food waste

KS1 DT- with Oak Academy Complete a project related to Textiles, Mechanisms, Structure, Cooking & Nutrition

KS2 DT- with Oak Academy Complete a project related to Textiles, Mechanisms, Structure, Cooking & Nutrition