Our inspiring and aspirational Design and Technology curriculum (based on the National Curriculum) is meticulously planned to identify the knowledge and skills that our designers will acquire. Each small step in our designers journey has been carefully planned to ensure a challenging and progressive curriculum to meet the needs of all learners.

Designers will regularly revisit key concepts (over learning) and engage in regular retrieval practice which builds upon prior knowledge and enables them to make connections to deepen their understanding of new learning, committing this to long term memory.

Designers are tasked with designing something for someone for some purpose. Units are designed to promote the use of cross-curricular connections to secure and deepen understanding. Designers will take creative risks when mapping out their initial ideas for meaningful products. Designers are inspired by a diverse range of people, who have made a difference in the world of design and technology.

Designers work independently or collaboratively to demonstrate their new found skills, knowledge and expertise. They access a wide range of tools and equipment and are expected to consider risks and take the necessary steps to complete their products safely and successfully. Designers should continually assess their progress and demonstrate their confidence by making purposeful decisions.

Designers will investigate and analyse a range of products and consider the needs, wants and expectations of their user when evaluating products. Designers will use their subject specific vocabulary (technical toolkit of terms) to suggest points for improvement and to give constructive, actionable feedback. Designers will respond to feedback by improving their product based on the critiques of others and themselves.

Designers will build structures and explore how they can be made stronger, stiffer and more stable. They progressively and confidently apply their understanding of strengthening to more complex structures. Designers will investigate and use mechanisms in their products including: levers, sliders, cams and followers, gears, pulleys, wheels and axels. The challenging curriculum has been progressively mapped to enable designers to revise, retrieve and apply prior knowledge and skills.

Chefs and nutritionists will understand and apply the principles of a healthy and varied diet by learning about the Eatwell Plate. They will investigate and understand where food comes. Chefs and nutritionists will follow recipes and observe modelled demonstrations, learning how to use a range of cooking techniques to prepare and cook dishes.

Chefs will make design decisions and through questioning and discussion will adapt and improve recipes.

Our little people are competent and creative designers and makers who build an increasing complex wealth of knowledge, technical skills and expertise to design and make something, for someone, for some purpose. They are critical thinkers who are problem solvers and are able to apply their knowledge and skills competently to produce high quality products. They are inspired by aspirational people in the field of Design and Technology and endeavour to solve real and relevant problems. They can communicate their thinking and design ideas clearly and are reflective resourceful little people, with a range of skills and expertise in the subject.