Design and Technology (D&T) is about using creativity and practical skills to solve problems and make things that improve people's lives.

It helps us design, create, test and improve products by thinking carefully about what people need and how things work.

By exploring materials, structures, mechanisms, textiles, food and technology, we learn how products are made and how they can be improved.

Through designing and making, we can develop our creativity, resilience and problem-solving skills while bringing our ideas to life.

By evaluating and refining our work, we learn from mistakes, celebrate successes and create products that are useful, purposeful and enjoyable.

Design and Technology Enrichment and Enhancement at John Blow Primary School

At John Blow Primary School, we believe that Design and Technology provides children with opportunities to use creativity, practical skills and problem-solving to design and make products that have a purpose. Our Design and Technology curriculum is carefully planned to develop pupils' knowledge, skills and understanding progressively from the Early Years through to Year 6, ensuring that children build upon prior learning and become increasingly confident designers and makers.

We aim for children not only to develop technical knowledge and practical skills, but also to understand how design influences the world around them. Through exploring existing products, investigating how things work and creating solutions to real-life problems, pupils learn how Design and Technology impacts everyday life.

A key feature of our Design and Technology curriculum is the use of project books, which are now embedded consistently across the school. These books enable pupils to record and reflect upon every stage of the design process, ensuring clear progression in learning as they move through each year group. Children are able to revisit prior knowledge, apply previously taught skills and demonstrate how their understanding develops over time.

Across the school, opportunities are provided for children to:

• investigate and evaluate existing products
• develop an understanding of the design process
• generate, communicate and refine design ideas
• select and use appropriate tools, materials and components safely
• develop practical skills in structures, mechanisms, textiles, food and electrical systems where appropriate
• create products for a specific purpose and audience
• evaluate and improve their designs and finished products
• record their learning and design journey through project books

Educational experiences are carefully planned to support and enhance classroom learning. The curriculum has been designed to ensure clear progression in knowledge, vocabulary and technical skills across all areas of Design and Technology. Each unit builds upon previous learning, enabling pupils to develop increasing independence, confidence and competence as designers and makers.

In addition to planned curriculum opportunities, pupils are encouraged to celebrate and share their achievements through:

• classroom and whole-school displays
• curriculum-linked design projects
• cross-curricular opportunities
• collaborative design and problem-solving activities
• opportunities to present and evaluate their work

Through these experiences, we aim to develop children who are creative, innovative and resilient. We want pupils to leave John Blow Primary School with the knowledge, skills and confidence to solve problems, think critically and apply their learning in practical and meaningful ways.

The teaching staff of John Blow School collaboratively developed this curriculum, supported by curriculum guidance and best practice research. The curriculum is underpinned by research-informed approaches and has been carefully mapped against the National Curriculum to ensure clear progression, full coverage and high expectations for all pupils.

Please contact the school if you require additional information.