Design and Technology

We are Designers...

Design & Technology at Sulhamstead & Ufton Nervet CE Primary School

Design and Technology at Sulhamstead & Ufton Nervet CE Primary School is an inspiring, practical and creative subject. Using imagination, problem‑solving and hands‑on skills, pupils design and make products that address real and relevant needs within meaningful contexts. Children consider their own needs as well as those of others, thinking carefully about purpose, function and values. Throughout their learning, pupils draw on a broad range of subject knowledge, including STEM disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art. Past and present examples of design and innovation are used to inspire children’s thinking and broaden their understanding of what is possible.

Our Design & Technology curriculum, developed in collaboration with Cornerstones, enables learners to apply knowledge from across the curriculum to develop skills in food technology, engineering, functional and aesthetic design, textiles, and systems and control. Pupils explore how products have been designed throughout history and in the modern world, gaining insight into how design impacts daily life and shapes the wider world. They also develop a secure understanding of materials—how they can be shaped, manipulated and used effectively.

Learning in D&T at SUN reflects the full design cycle: design, make and evaluate. Children are encouraged to generate ideas, discuss features of their designs and communicate them through annotated sketches, diagrams, prototypes, pattern pieces and computer‑aided design. They learn to select and use appropriate tools, equipment and materials safely, developing essential practical skills such as measuring, marking out, cutting, joining and finishing.

Pupils evaluate and test their finished products, explaining how and why they work. They also analyse existing products, past and present, to understand how they function and how they could be improved. Evaluation is ongoing throughout the design‑make‑evaluate process and forms a key part of reflective learning.

Our aspiration is that children at SUN develop curiosity about how products are designed and made, and gain the confidence and knowledge to create their own solutions both in and out of school.

To be successful in Design & Technology at SUN, learners must:

• Design purposeful products — create solutions that meet real and relevant needs

• Develop prototypes — design, refine and produce prototypes for a range of audiences

• Use materials and components — apply practical skills and techniques using a variety of materials

• Evaluate processes and products — assess materials, methods and outcomes critically

• Use accurate D&T vocabulary — describe how and why products work and evaluate their fitness for purpose

• Understand technology’s impact — recognise how technology influences people’s lives and the wider world

• Make meaningful connections — link learning across D&T and with subjects such as history

• Engage with diverse products — explore a range of technological solutions, including ethical considerations

Design_and_Technology_Skills_ProgressionPrimary_National_Curriculum_Design_and_TechnologyStatement_of_Intent_DT