- Home
- Curriculum
- Design Technology (DT)
Design Technology (DT)
Intent:
At Rowde, Design and Technology inspires children to become creative, resilient and thoughtful problem-solvers. Through our vision of Learn • Grow • Love, children learn to identify real-world problems, develop innovative ideas and create purposeful products that improve everyday life.
Our curriculum develops children's understanding of how designers, engineers, architects and inventors have shaped the world. By studying significant people, products and technological developments, children learn how thoughtful design balances creativity, function, sustainability and the needs of different users.
We want every child to think like a designer: asking questions, exploring possibilities, taking risks, learning from mistakes and continually refining their ideas.
Implementation:
Design and Technology is taught through a carefully sequenced curriculum from EYFS to Year 6. Children progressively develop their knowledge and skills across textiles, structures, mechanisms, food and nutrition and product design whilst revisiting key concepts so that learning becomes embedded in long-term memory.
Each unit is centred around significant designers, products or technological developments, helping children understand how design has influenced society throughout history and across cultures. Children learn the knowledge, vocabulary and technical skills needed before applying these through carefully planned design challenges.
Rather than following a single design process, children experience a variety of authentic design journeys. They may begin by researching users before designing, evaluate existing products before improving them, or create and refine prototypes through testing. This reflects how designers work in the real world and develops increasingly independent thinking.
Children regularly evaluate products, communicate ideas using technical drawings and diagrams, and reflect on how their designs can be improved. Wherever possible, learning culminates in authentic outcomes where products are shared with the school or wider community.
Impact:
Children leave Rowde as confident, creative designers who understand that successful design begins with understanding people and solving problems.
They can identify a need, generate ideas, select appropriate materials and techniques, communicate their thinking, evaluate products critically and improve their work through testing and refinement.
Children understand how design and technology influences everyday life and appreciate the contributions of significant designers, engineers and inventors. Most importantly, they develop the creativity, resilience and practical problem-solving skills that will support them throughout secondary education and beyond.
Art and DT Curriculum Mapping overviewProgression in DT Skills
