D&T At St Nicholas

The Design & Technology curriculum will:

Design and Technology at St Nicholas Primary School is about inspiring the children to become creative and imaginative. Our curriculum will allow the children to design and make products within a variety of contexts. Throughout the school, children will acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on cross-curricular links such as mathematics, science and computing. Children will develop their ability to take risks and become innovative, whilst exploring, developing and analysing our three main areas: food technology, construction and textiles. Throughout the school, the children will practise and develop these skills in their Design and Technology books.

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

At. St. Nicholas, Children are designers from the very start of Foundation. In EYFS, their environment encourages them to be risk-takers and creative when beginning to explore a range of design and technology skills. Throughout the year, children are encouraged to use a range of resources and tools, developing their skills to use them effectively. There are plenty of opportunities for the children to discuss their design and technology work and their findings!

Key Stage One

In Years 1 and 2, Children will build on the skills learned and begin to think critically. They will follow the same unit sequence throughout the year: investigation, focussed practical task, design, make and evaluate. Through a variety of creative and practical activities, all children will develop their knowledge, understanding and skills needed to design and make appealing products, whilst selecting appropriate tools and equipment. Children are guided, but are encouraged to have freedom, when developing their design and technology skills!

Key Stage Two

In Years 3 to 6, all children will continue to follow the same unit sequence throughout the year: investigation, focussed practical task, design, make and evaluate. In order to master design and technology techniques, they will review and revisit the three main areas of our curriculum (food technology, construction and textiles). Throughout Key Stage Two, children will design appealing products with a purpose and evaluate critically. They begin to use electricity within construction, using the Crumbl kits! Our design and technology curriculum continues to be hands-on and child led throughout the school!

How can I support my child with design and technology?

To support design and technology at home, you don’t need fancy design and technology materials. Just provide access to as many different opportunities to research, investigate, design, make and evaluate! Design and technology doesn’t always have to be ‘making’. It is important that children investigate and reflect! It may be that they observe you using tools, cooking or even patching up clothes!

When using tools and equipment, it is important that children are supervised and know how to use them safely. Allowing children to have time to make mistakes and face challenges is crucial – this is the best way for them to learn is to reflect and evaluate! It’s also important to let them go off on tangents – if something captures their imagination and they follow their own path, then celebrate that.

Perhaps you are reading a story, could you encourage your child to design something relevant to this? A rocket for example! Encourage them to think about the designing steps, what materials they would need and what tools they would need!

Useful websites

5 at home design and technology activities for children

The James Dyson Foundation: Resources and videos from designers

BBC BITESIZE: Activities for Key Stage One

BBC BITESIZE: Activities for Key Stage Two

Crumbl Kits: Different projects

Junk Modelling Ideas

BBC Good Food: No-cook kids’ recipes

Further information: