Design & Technology 
At Woodsetts Primary School, we believe that Design and Technology (DT) provides children with the tools to become innovative thinkers, resourceful creators, and confident problem-solvers. Our curriculum is hands-on, purposeful and inspiring — encouraging children to design, make, test, and refine products that respond to real-life needs.
Our aim is to equip children with the practical knowledge and creative confidence to:
- Investigate problems and design purposeful solutions
- Use tools, materials, and techniques safely and effectively
- Evaluate and improve their work using technical vocabulary
- Understand how design impacts the world around us
- Develop life-long skills through cooking and nutrition
DT also builds resilience, teamwork, and a mindset that embraces iteration and improvement. Where possible, our projects are linked to History, Geography, and English texts, to deepen understanding and ensure learning is memorable and meaningful.
Our DT curriculum is built around five key concepts that run throughout the school:
Every year group from Year 1 to Year 6 completes three DT units per year, one per term, each focused on a specific area of learning. These include:
- Mechanisms and levers
- Food and healthy eating
- Structures and stability
- Textiles and stitching
- Electronics and circuits
- CAD and digital design
In Nursery and Reception, children encounter Design and Technology through continuous provision and project-based learning. They explore:
- Construction using blocks, junk modelling, and magnetic materials
- Designing and making boats that float, bridges that hold weight, or dens to hide in
- Using scissors, glue, tape, and materials for a purpose
- Talking about what worked, what didn’t, and what they could change next time
These early experiences build the confidence, vocabulary, and curiosity needed for success in Key Stage 1 DT.
DT learning is assessed through a combination of knowledge, skill, and creativity:
- End-of-unit final projects
- Memory recall questions (Class Briefing, plenaries)
- End-of-unit quizzes on vocabulary and designers
- Use of our Skills and Knowledge Grid to assess using a 6-point PITA scale
- Photographic evidence and annotated work in DT books
Each unit is supported with a Knowledge Organiser, helping children remember:
- Key vocabulary
- Important designers and engineers
- Core knowledge and safety principles
- Sticky knowledge to build year on year
We carefully select high-quality texts to inspire and contextualise DT learning. Children have access to these in our library spaces and some are also shared in class during story time. For example:
- Year 1: The Three Little Pigs (structures), Iggy Peck, Architect
- Year 3: Pop-Up Vehicles, The Great Paper Caper
- Year 6: Rosie Revere, Engineer, Made by Hand: A Craftsman’s Story
We believe that the best designers are thinkers, testers, and tinkerers — and at Woodsetts, our children are just that. Their voice shapes the DT curriculum as they reflect on what they’ve built, tested, and learned.
Here’s what our pupils say:
- "We made a lighthouse that lit up — I felt like a real inventor!" – Year 4
- "I love DT because I get to use tools and build things myself." – Year 2
- "When our bridge broke, we tried again and made it stronger — that’s what engineers do!" – Year 5
- "We used cams to make a game move. It was tricky but fun when it worked!" – Year 6
- "It’s like art and science had a baby and called it DT!" – Year 3
We collect pupil voice through:
- End-of-unit reflections and photo annotations
- Whole-class discussions and Class Briefing (inc. Community Circles)
- Feedback on prototypes and products
- Showcase events and project presentations
Their feedback helps us continually refine our DT curriculum and celebrate the joy of making.
Useful Links for Families
DT is all about problem-solving, creativity, and life skills — things families can enjoy exploring together! These websites offer ideas, challenges and inspiration to support DT learning at home:
- The James Dyson Foundation – Challenge Cards
Free downloadable STEM challenges for children to complete using household materials.https://www.jamesdysonfoundation.co.uk/resources/challenge-cards.html
- BBC Good Food – Cooking with Kids
Simple, safe, and healthy recipes for children to cook — perfect for developing kitchen confidence and food tech skills. - Tech Will Save Us – DIY STEM Projects
Creative, hands-on digital and design projects using circuits, craft, and imagination. - Little Inventors
A brilliant site where children can draw and submit inventions — with tips, challenges, and galleries of real kid creations!
To find out more about our Design and Technology curriculum, please click on the document below:
