Intent
At Gainsborough Primary School, we aim to inspire all children to become confident, creative and reflective designers and technologists. We want pupils to develop secure knowledge and skills across all six domains of Design and Technology, enabling them to enjoy and engage fully in the design, make and evaluate process.
Through carefully planned, practical projects, children develop the technical skills they need to design purposeful products while working with a range of tools, materials and techniques. An important part of our DT curriculum is cooking and nutrition, where children learn key life skills such as food preparation, hygiene and safety, understanding where food comes from, and how to prepare healthy, balanced meals.
Sustainability is a key priority in our DT curriculum; where possible, projects are designed to be environmentally responsible, using recycled materials and encouraging pupils to consider the impact of their choices on the planet. In cooking activities, this includes thinking about food waste, seasonal produce and making responsible food choices.
DT lessons provide rich opportunities for pupils to develop language, collaboration and problem-solving skills. Children work independently, in pairs and in groups, learning to share ideas, listen to others and work effectively as part of a team. We encourage all pupils to reflect on the strengths and weaknesses of their work, evaluate their outcomes honestly and confidently suggest ways in which designs and processes could be improved.
Our DT curriculum is meaningful and purposeful, making strong links with other areas of learning and real-life contexts. This helps children understand the relevance of Design and Technology, make connections with the wider world and recognise the value and purpose of what they are creating.
Implementation
Each DT unit follows the step-by-step design process of design, make and evaluate, which is embedded consistently throughout the curriculum. Children are taught to research, generate ideas, plan, create and reflect on their work, developing resilience, problem-solving skills and the ability to improve their designs.
Our curriculum provides balanced coverage of mechanisms, textiles, structures and cooking and nutrition, ensuring pupils experience the full breadth of the subject. Where possible, these units link to other areas of the curriculum or whole school initiatives to ensure purposeful learning is taking place. Cooking and nutrition is taught every half term, enabling children to regularly develop essential life skills such as food preparation, hygiene, safety and an understanding of healthy, balanced diets.
Medium-term plans are carefully sequenced and progressive, developing both technical skills and subject knowledge over time. Learning is designed to build upon pupils’ prior knowledge, allowing children to revisit and deepen key concepts as they move through the school. Through practical, hands-on experiences, pupils gain confidence in using tools, materials and techniques accurately and safely.
DT at Gainsborough is purposeful and meaningful, making links with other curriculum areas and real-life contexts. This helps children understand the relevance of their learning, apply their skills creatively and recognise the impact of Design and Technology in the wider world.
Impact
Pupils at Gainsborough Primary School develop into creative and reflective designers and technologists. They acquire the required knowledge and skills across all areas of Design and Technology and can apply the design, make and evaluate process to create purposeful products.
As pupils progress through the school, they demonstrate increasing technical accuracy and confidence in using tools, materials and techniques safely. They are able to explain their design choices using appropriate subject vocabulary and evaluate their work honestly, identifying strengths and areas for improvement. Learning is well-sequenced and builds effectively on prior knowledge, enabling pupils to remember more and apply their skills across a range of contexts.
Regular teaching of cooking and nutrition means we have lots of keen cooks at Gainsborough and ensures pupils develop essential life skills. Children understand food hygiene and safety, know where food comes from and can make informed choices about healthy, balanced diets, including consideration of food waste and sustainability.
Pupils show a strong awareness of environmental responsibility and sustainability and can explain how design choices impact the wider world. Through collaborative and practical learning, they develop resilience, problem-solving skills and the ability to work effectively with others.
Latest Design & Technology posts from Instagram
Year 1 have made pencil pots this week in DT. They have considered their design and how to make a strong base. Thank you to our families who came into class today to help with our learning. #keepconnected
Jun 13
In design and technology this week we are looking at structures. Years 3, 4, 5 and 6 have ventured into the local area to draw structures. They will then design and make these in school. Well done year 3, great work!
Jun 12