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Design & Technology

Design & Technology enables pupils to design, make and evaluate products through creative, practical projects linked to wider curriculum themes.
Our Design & Technology Curriculum

Developing creativity, problem-solving and practical skills through design and innovation

Overview
Subject Statement

Intent

What do we aim to do?
In Lindley Junior School, Design and Technology (DT) is taught in an exciting and engaging way that challenges and inspires pupils to explore real-life design problems, investigate the world around them, and communicate their ideas effectively. We aim to link DT to everyday life and pupils’ first-hand experiences to make learning purposeful and meaningful. Our principal aim is to develop pupils’ analytical and problem-solving skills within an environment that encourages creativity, independence, and resilience. Pupils are supported to think critically, test ideas, and evaluate their designs, understanding that improvement often comes through refinement and iteration. Through practical, hands-on projects, pupils develop skills in designing, making, and evaluating products for a range of purposes and users. They are taught to use materials, tools, and techniques safely and effectively, building confidence in practical work. Pupils are also encouraged to consider the needs of others when designing, ensuring their ideas are functional, purposeful, and creative. DT lessons promote curiosity, collaboration, and reflection, allowing pupils to work both independently and as part of a team to solve design challenges and improve their outcomes.

Implementation

How do we achieve our goals?

Teachers create a positive attitude to DT learning within their classrooms and reinforce an expectation that all pupils are capable of achieving high standards in DT.

Our whole school approach to the teaching and learning of DT involves the following:

  • DT will be taught in planned topic units by the class teacher, to have a project-based approach. This is a strategy to enable the achievement of a greater depth of knowledge.
  • Through our planning, we include problem solving opportunities that allow children to apply their knowledge, and find out answers for themselves.
  • Children are encouraged to ask their own questions and be given opportunities to use their creative skills to discover their own solutions to design problems. This creativity is celebrated within the classroom.
  • Planning involves teachers creating engaging lessons, with focused practical tasks to develop the necessary making skills.
  • Teachers assess pupils regularly to identify those children with gaps in learning, so that all pupils keep up.
  • We build upon the knowledge and skill development of the previous years.
  • As the children’s knowledge and skill increases, and they become more proficient in selecting and using equipment, designing and evaluating solutions, they become increasingly confident in their growing ability to solve real life design problems.
  • Teachers demonstrate how to use tools safely.
  • Teachers find opportunities to develop children’s understanding of their surroundings by accessing outdoor learning and workshops with experts whenever possible.

Children are offered a wide range of extra-curricular activities, STEM Club, visits and visitors to complement and broaden the curriculum. These are purposeful and link with the knowledge being taught in class. Events, such as STEM Week or STEM days and F1 in Schools, allow all pupils to come off-timetable, to provide broader provision and the acquisition and application of knowledge and skills. These events can involve families and the wider community.

Impact

How will we know we have achieved our aims?

The successful approach at Lindley Junior School results in a fun, engaging, high-quality DT education that provides children with the foundations and knowledge for understanding the ‘made world’. Through a range of workshops, trips, and interactions with experts and the wider community, children develop an understanding that DT is present in every aspect of our lives and is vital to the world’s future prosperity.


Children learn about the possibilities for careers in DT through strong community links and work with professionals, helping to ensure access to positive role models from both the local and wider community. Exposure to engineers and designers from a variety of backgrounds helps children to see that they are capable of achieving within the field.
As a result, pupils at Lindley Junior School develop enthusiasm for DT and become motivated learners with a secure and growing understanding of design and technology in the real world.