Design Technology at Carrwood Primary
What We Want Children to Learn
Our Design & Technology curriculum equips pupils with the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to design and make high-quality products for a wide range of users. We aim to develop creative, practical problem-solvers who can work both independently and collaboratively. Pupils learn to research, design, make and evaluate, while building technical knowledge in structures, mechanisms, textiles, electrical systems and cooking and nutrition. Our curriculum is designed to be ambitious, inclusive and fully aligned with the National Curriculum, ensuring all pupils— including those with SEND—can achieve well.
How We Teach It
Our curriculum is well sequenced from Early Years to Year 6. Units are organised to ensure progression in technical skills, design processes and subject knowledge. Each project includes opportunities to investigate existing products, learn and practise key techniques, and apply learning in purposeful design tasks. Lessons combine modelling, practical exploration and structured design work, with vocabulary and knowledge revisited regularly to secure understanding. Cross-curricular links with subjects such as science, maths and computing strengthen learning and demonstrate real-world relevance. Teachers assess pupils’ understanding through observation, discussion, end of unit quizzes and evaluation of final products.
What Children Will Achieve
Pupils leave each key stage with a secure understanding of the design process and the confidence to apply practical skills to solve real problems. They can explain their design choices, use technical vocabulary accurately and evaluate their own and others’ work with increasing independence. Work produced shows clear progression in skills and understanding over time. By the end of Year 6, pupils are prepared for the next stage of their education with the creativity, resilience and critical thinking needed to contribute positively to an increasingly technological world.
Our Vision
At Carrwood Primary school, Design & Technology inspires children to become curious, creative and confident problem‑solvers who are ready to shape the world around them. We believe every child should have the opportunity to explore ideas, experiment with materials and develop the practical skills needed to turn imaginative thinking into purposeful, high‑quality products.
Our vision is for pupils to think independently and work collaboratively, drawing on a growing understanding of structures, mechanisms, textiles, electrical systems, and food and nutrition. Through meaningful, hands‑on learning, children learn to research, design, make and evaluate with increasing skill and confidence.
We are committed to providing an ambitious and inclusive curriculum where all pupils—including those with SEND—can achieve success. Learning is carefully sequenced from Early Years to Year 6 so that knowledge builds securely over time, supported by strong links to science, maths and computing that highlight the real‑world relevance of D&T.
By the time pupils leave Year 6, they will be equipped with the creativity, resilience and critical thinking needed to approach challenges with confidence and contribute positively to an increasingly technological world.
