“High-quality design and technology education makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of the nation.”

The Primary National Curriculum 2014

Intent

At Windermere Primary School, our Design and Technology (D&T) curriculum nurtures creativity, problem-solving skills, and hands-on learning. We aim to inspire pupils to become innovative thinkers and future designers, engineers, and makers. Through engaging projects, we encourage resilience, teamwork, and the practical application of knowledge to real-world challenges.

Implementation

Our curriculum is designed to develop practical skills by equipping children with the ability to use tools, materials, and techniques safely and effectively. We encourage creativity and innovation by inspiring pupils to design and make purposeful products that solve real problems while promoting critical thinking through evaluation and improvements. By integrating STEM learning, we help children connect D&T with science, technology, engineering, and maths, deepening their understanding and problem-solving abilities. 

We follow a design-make-evaluate model, ensuring that pupils investigate and research existing products, design solutions to real-world problems, make their ideas come to life using a variety of tools and materials, and evaluate their final products for improvements. This structured approach is embedded across all year groups, ensuring progressive skill development. In EYFS, children explore basic construction techniques, experimenting with different materials and using simple tools. By KS1, they develop foundational technical skills, including cutting, joining, and designing with a purpose in mind. As they progress through KS2, pupils apply their knowledge to more complex projects involving mechanical systems, structures, textiles, electrical circuits, and digital technologies. This ensures a seamless transition from basic exploration to more advanced problem-solving and innovation.