Design and Technology

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

(National Curriclum 2014)

Intent

Design and Technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject that teachers at Bretherton School innovate and explore with aplomb! We start each topic with 3 simple statements - that Design is creating Something for Somebody with Some Purpose. Using creativity and imagination, pupils design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. Our intent is to inspire pupils to become creative, confident and innovative problem solvers through this rich and engaging Design and Technology curriculum. We aim to develop children's ability to think independently, take risks and turn their ideas into purposeful, functional and imaginative products. Through the three key stages of designing, making and evaluating, pupils develop practical skills alongside an understanding of materials, structures, mechanisms, electrical systems, textiles, food and digital technology. We encourage children to explore how design and technology has evolved over time and recognise its influence on everyday life and the wider world. Our curriculum promotes resourcefulness, resilience, teamwork and an understanding of the needs of others, preparing pupils to participate confidently in an increasingly technological society. We provide opportunities for all children, regardless of ability or starting point, to explore their creativity, develop their skills and experience success. We also aim to nurture an interest in future possibilities within design, engineering and technology, helping children recognise how their ideas and skills can make a positive difference to the world around them.

Implementation

Our Design and Technology curriculum is delivered through a topic-based approach, supported by the Projects on a Page framework. Teachers use their professional knowledge and individual interests to enrich learning, make meaningful cross-curricular links and provide engaging, purposeful design challenges. Staff are supported through regular training and opportunities for further professional development, alongside collaboration with local schools and our feeder high school to share expertise and develop good practice.

This progressive curriculum builds on pupils' prior learning, with a carefully structured skills progression document ensuring increasing challenge and continuity across our two-year cycle. Children develop practical knowledge and understanding through a range of areas and are encouraged to investigate real-life products and structures, understand their purpose and apply their learning to create functional and imaginative outcomes.

Practical experiences are central to our approach, with a wide range of resources available to support experimentation, problem-solving and creative thinking. Pupils have access to a school owned 3D printer and computer-aided design applications on school iPads, allowing them to explore contemporary design possibilities. Teachers provide ongoing verbal feedback and introduce challenges that encourage children to reflect, adapt and improve their work. Learning is celebrated through the production of high quality booklets for each topic, classroom displays, photographs and school blogs, giving pupils opportunities to share their achievements and take pride in their creations. The subject leader monitors provision through termly monitoring and an annual resource and curriculum audit, ensuring that teaching remains effective, resources are appropriate and the curriculum continues to develop in response to pupils' needs.

Impact

Through our Design and Technology curriculum, we aim for pupils to become confident, creative and resourceful designers who can apply their knowledge and practical skills to solve real-life problems. Children develop an understanding of how design influences everyday life and the wider world, considering the functional, aesthetic, social and environmental impact of the products they create. As pupils progress through school, they demonstrate increasing independence, accuracy and confidence in the design, making and evaluation process. Each topic culminates in a finished product, providing children with the opportunity to apply their learning, showcase their developing skills and evaluate the success of their designs against their original intentions. Progression is evident through the increasing complexity of their ideas, the quality of their practical work and their ability to use subject-specific vocabulary confidently. The impact of our curriculum is monitored through pupil voice, vocabulary assessments, teacher observations, discussions, photographic evidence and the review of pupils' work during moderation. The subject leader utilises this information to evaluate provision and celebrate successes. Ultimately, we want our pupils to leave Bretherton with the creativity, resilience, problem-solving skills and technological understanding needed to embrace future challenges and recognise the value of Design and Technology in shaping the world around them.

Since last academic year we have had the exciting addition of a Flashforge 3D Printer at Bretherton, which has hugely enhanced our Computer Aided Design throughout school and has been incorporated into the Art and Design curriculum already for Class 2. In our 2026/2027 Cycle A year, we will expand the use of the 3D printer within the curriculum for Class 3.

Actions for Academic Year 2026/2027:

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