Curriculum
Design technology
Curriculum intent, implementation, and impact
Intent
“Design is a funny word. Some people think design means how it looks. But of course, if you look deeper, it’s really how it works.” – Steve Jobs
“Technology makes possibilities. Design makes solutions.” – John Maeda
Design and Technology (DT) is an inspiring and practical subject that encourages children to think creatively and solve problems independently and collaboratively. At Hadley Learning Community, we are passionate about DT and aim to inspire children to produce purposeful, high-quality end products.
DT activities enable children to use creativity, imagination, and social skills to design and make their own products. They learn to understand the entire process—from planning and making to evaluating and refining their work.
Through DT, children acquire a wide range of skills and draw on knowledge from other subjects such as Mathematics, Science, Engineering, ICT, and Art. They learn to take risks and become resourceful, innovative, enterprising, and capable citizens.
Children also develop life skills related to healthy living, food nutrition, and cookery. Pupils are taught how to cook and apply principles of nutrition and healthy eating. Instilling a love of cooking opens the door to one of humanity’s great creative expressions and equips pupils with a crucial life skill for feeding themselves and others affordably and healthily throughout life.
DT is a vital part of school life at HLC. We are committed to delivering a high-quality curriculum through well-planned, safe experiences. Children are explicitly taught how to use tools safely and follow protocols, developing practical skills that will benefit them throughout life.
Implementation
When designing and making, children are taught to:
Design
- Use research and develop design criteria to create innovative, functional, and appealing products fit for purpose, aimed at individuals or groups.
- Generate, develop, model, and communicate ideas through discussion, annotated sketches, cross-sectional diagrams, prototypes, pattern pieces, and computer-aided design (CAD).
Make
- Select and use a wider range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks accurately (e.g., cutting, shaping, joining, finishing).
- Choose materials and components—including construction materials, textiles, and ingredients—based on their function and appearance.
Evaluate
- Investigate and analyse existing products.
- Evaluate ideas and products against design criteria and consider feedback to improve their work.
- Understand how key events and individuals in DT have shaped the world.
Technical knowledge
- Apply understanding of strengthening, stiffening, and reinforcing complex structures.
- Understand and use mechanical and electrical systems in their products.
- Apply computing skills to program, monitor, and control products.
Key skills and knowledge are mapped across year groups to ensure clear progression. The curriculum connects children’s DT work to real-life structures and purposes while building skills year by year.
DT lessons are taught in focused blocks to maximise learning. Skills are taught discretely, but projects link to wider topics and curriculum areas to enhance learning.
Children gain key knowledge and skills across the three main strands of DT:
- Mechanisms
- Textiles
- Cooking and nutrition
DT is a practical subject that develops children’s ability to investigate, design, make, and evaluate as part of a complete process. Living in a highly technological world, children develop skills to prepare them for a constantly changing society.
All year groups experience the three strands, with knowledge and skills growing more detailed and complex over time. Children revisit and build upon prior learning throughout their school journey.
Knowledge organisers support learning for both teachers and pupils, and clear progression is outlined in a sequence of learning documents.
Impact
Assessment for learning is used throughout DT lessons to help children revisit and consolidate prior and new knowledge.
Children are encouraged to celebrate their successes by evaluating the techniques they use and the final products they create.
Opportunities to practise and apply skills are provided throughout the school year, including homework projects supported by parents.
If you visited a DT lesson at HLC, you would see children’s projects proudly displayed and celebrated by both staff and pupils.
What our children say:
Year 6 – “I enjoy the freedom to be creative, and I like how I can explore different techniques to make a range of projects.”
Year 5 – “I loved using my imagination and problem-solving skills to overcome a range of problems. My favourite project was constructing a bridge by researching a range of structures.”
Year 4 – “My favourite DT project was making a buzz wire game because we used trial and error like in maths to check if the batteries and wires were working so my circuit worked.”
Year 4 –“In DT we learn life skills like cooking.”
Year 3 – “I am proud of my Stone Age shelter because we spent a long time planning and designing it. We had to look at our plan to see if our shelter at the end of our project matched our design.”
Year 2 – “I like getting messy and discovering new things.”
