Design and Technology

Skills & Knowledge Progression Documents

Design Technology at Haslingfield Endowed Primary School is a creative, practical subject that encourages children to think imaginatively, solve problems and work both independently and as part of a team. Through our DT curriculum, pupils learn in real‑life contexts inspired by engineers, designers, chefs and architects, helping them understand how design impacts everyday life.

Children develop the skills and knowledge needed to create a wide range of products, including structures, mechanisms, textiles, electrical systems and food dishes. Our intention is to build confident, resourceful learners who can design, make and evaluate with purpose and creativity.

Curriculum Intent

Implementation

Through a wide range of practical activities, children are taught the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to design and make products with a clear sense of function, purpose and real‑life relevance. DT learning is linked meaningfully to other areas of the curriculum, helping pupils see how design impacts everyday life.

Design skills

Use research and clear design criteria to develop innovative, functional products
Generate and communicate ideas through discussion, annotated sketches and prototypes

Making skills

Select and use tools to carry out practical tasks such as cutting, shaping, joining and finishing
Choose materials and ingredients based on functional properties, aesthetic qualities and, where relevant, taste

Evaluating skills

Investigate existing products to understand how they work and who they are for
Evaluate their own work against design criteria, using feedback from others to improve
Learn about influential designers and how design and technology shape the world

Technical knowledge

Strengthen and reinforce structures
Use mechanical systems in their products
Use electrical systems safely and effectively
Apply computing to program and control products
Understand basic cooking methods and how food can be prepared

Impact

We ensure that children:

Develop creative and practical expertise that enables them to carry out tasks confidently and participate successfully in an increasingly technological world
Build and apply a secure bank of knowledge, skills and understanding to design, make, evaluate and test products for a wide range of users
Understand and apply principles of nutrition when preparing food and making informed choices about ingredients

A high‑quality finish is expected in all DT activities, appropriate to each child’s age and stage of development, helping pupils take pride in their work and strive for excellence.