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Old Hill Primary School and Nursery

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Design & Technology

The intent of our primary school Design and Technology (D&T) curriculum is to inspire creativity, innovation, and problem-solving skills in all pupils. We aim to equip children with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to engage in the design process, from ideas to creations, while encouraging them to think critically about how products are designed, made, and used in the world around them.

Our curriculum provides a broad range of opportunities for children to explore different materials, tools, and techniques. Through hands-on, practical activities, pupils will develop technical skills in designing, making, and evaluating products that solve real-world problems or meet specific needs. Children will work with materials such as wood, textiles, and food, fostering creativity and precision in their work.

We emphasize the iterative nature of the design process, teaching children to generate ideas, prototype, test, and refine their products. Pupils will learn to evaluate their own and others’ work, considering functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability. We aim to develop a culture of resilience and perseverance, where children learn from their mistakes and take pride in their achievements.

By exploring the work of designers, engineers, and innovators from different times and cultures, pupils will gain an understanding of the impact of design and technology on society and the environment. They will also consider the importance of sustainability and responsible design choices in their projects.

By the end of primary school, pupils will have developed key technical and creative skills, as well as the confidence to approach problems with a design-thinking mindset. They will be equipped to apply their knowledge of D&T to new challenges in secondary education and beyond.

Key Aims:

  • Develop practical skills in designing, making, and evaluating products.
  • Foster creativity, innovation, and problem-solving through hands-on activities.
  • Teach the iterative process of prototyping, testing, and refining ideas.
  • Promote an understanding of the impact of design and technology on society and the environment.
  • Encourage resilience, teamwork, and critical thinking throughout the design process.
Year group Autumn Spring Summer
1 Moving picture book Hand puppets Making Fruit Kebabs
2 Standing structures Food (pizza) Trolleys (axels and wheels)
3 Levers and linkages Pencil cases Healthy sandwiches
4 Shell structures
using CAD
Pneumatics Circuits and switches
5 CAD (Tinkercad) and frame structures CAMS Combining different fabric shapes (textiles/sewing)
6 Complex switches/ pulleys & gears Bridges (frame structures) Celebrating cultures (food technology)
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