DESIGN TECHNOLOGY CURRICULUM

Our Vision for Design and Technology

At St Marys CE Primary, Design and Technology enables pupils to become creative problem-solvers and innovative thinkers. It helps them understand how ideas become products that improve daily life, inspiring curiosity, resilience and teamwork.

Through designing, making and evaluating, pupils learn to take risks, become resourceful and reflect on their work critically. They explore how design connects science, mathematics, computing and art — preparing them to participate confidently in an increasingly technological world.

Our goal is for every child to leave St Marys CE with practical making skills, creativity and a sense of pride in seeing ideas realised from concept to completion.

Curriculum Intent

Our D&T curriculum aims to:

  • Develop pupils’ technical knowledge, practical skills and creative design thinking through iterative projects.
  • Foster understanding of materials, structures, mechanisms, textiles, and food technology.
  • Enable pupils to design purposeful, functional and appealing products for real and relevant contexts.
  • Support cross-curricular learning — linking D&T to maths (measurement, ratio), science (forces, materials), and computing (control systems).
  • Reflect the Curriculum and Assessment Review 2025 principles of applied problem-solving, interdisciplinary learning and sustainability awareness.
  • Promote inclusion, ensuring pupils of all abilities can access, participate and achieve through adaptive planning, alternative tools and supportive collaboration.

We use the PlanBee Design and Technology scheme as our core framework. Its structured progression ensures full coverage of the National Curriculum, providing coherent skill development, contextual learning and clear assessment opportunities. Teachers adapt and extend PlanBee projects to reflect local resources, community links and environmental priorities.

Curriculum Implementation

Design and Technology is taught in termly units across all key stages. Each project follows the design–make–evaluate cycle, underpinned by technical knowledge and contextual understanding.

EYFS:
Children explore building, joining and constructing using a range of materials. They are encouraged to solve practical problems and talk about what works and why.

KS1:
Pupils design and make simple products for a defined purpose — for example, playground structures, moving pictures or fruit snacks. They use basic tools safely and evaluate their outcomes.

Lower KS2:
Pupils work on more sophisticated mechanisms, linkages and textile projects (e.g. moving vehicles, pop-up books, or stitched pencil cases). They learn to generate design criteria, use technical vocabulary and record plans.

Upper KS2:
Pupils tackle more complex briefs involving electrical systems, frame structures, and cooking with specific dietary requirements.

Each unit typically follows this structure:
1️ Investigate and research existing products.
2️ Generate ideas using annotated sketches or digital design tools.
3️ Plan and make using appropriate materials and techniques.
4️ Evaluate and improve using design criteria and peer feedback.

Resources and Teaching Tools

  • PlanBee provides detailed lesson sequencing, vocabulary progression, safety guidance and assessment tasks.
  • Units are enhanced with local projects and cross-curricular links where possible.
  • Adaptive strategies include simplified tool use, paired support and scaffolded templates for pupils with SEND.

Enrichment and Cross-Curricular Links

  • Food technology linked to healthy eating and cultural diversity. (World Food Day)

Curriculum Impact

We evaluate the success of our D&T curriculum through:

  • Sketches, designs and finished products that demonstrate progression in creativity, functionality and technical competence.
  • Pupil voice reflecting enjoyment, confidence and understanding of how design impacts real life.
  • Teacher assessment based on observation, discussion and review of design criteria, not on numerical grading.
  • Monitoring by the subject leader via book looks, displays, lesson visits and resource audits.
  • Improvement planning driven by strengths and next steps identified through staff feedback and pupil outcomes.

Pupils leave St Marys CE Primary with a secure foundation of design thinking, practical craftsmanship and teamwork — fully prepared for further creative and technical learning.

How Parents and Carers Can Support Learning

  • Encourage children to plan, build or cook at home — e.g. baking, constructing Lego models, or designing cards.
  • Discuss how everyday products are made and improved.
  • Share creative projects as a family, such as upcycling or simple woodworking.
  • Talk about healthy eating and the importance of food preparation skills.

Recommended online resources:

Further Information and Useful Documents

For further information about our Design Technology curriculum, please contact our Design Technology Lead, Mr Gartside, via our school email address info@st-marys-cadishead.salford.sch.uk 

Curriculum Overview showing what is taught in each year group

Skills Progression Map 

 

Design Technology Leader: Mr Jon Gartside
Last reviewed: November 2025
Next review: September 2026