Design Technology
Design & Technology Curriculum Statement
At Nicol Mere, we inspire our children to become creative thinkers, problem solvers, and innovators. Through our Design and Technology (DT) curriculum, pupils are encouraged to use their imagination and technical skills to design and make products that solve real-life, meaningful problems. They are taught to consider their own needs and those of others, developing thoughtful, purposeful solutions across a range of contexts.
Our DT curriculum blends practical capability with critical thinking, giving children the tools to analyse, design, evaluate, and refine. Wherever possible, we make meaningful cross-curricular links with subjects such as mathematics, science, art, computing, and engineering—offering pupils a well-rounded and enriched learning experience. At Nicol Mere, we want children to take risks, explore ideas, and feel confident in becoming independent, resilient, and reflective learners.
Intent
Our Design & Technology curriculum aims to:
- Develop creativity, technical and practical expertise for everyday tasks and future learning
- Build and apply a repertoire of skills to design and create high-quality prototypes and products
- Teach children how to critique, evaluate, and improve their own work and the work of others
- Develop a strong understanding of nutrition and cooking, applying this in Food Technology
- Provide a progressive, sequenced curriculum focused on skills and vocabulary
- Offer exciting and hands-on opportunities to inspire creativity and curiosity
- Promote our school values in line with British Values
- Prepare pupils for the next stage of their learning journey and beyond
Implementation
Design & Technology is taught following the National Curriculum, focusing on key areas such as Food Technology, Mechanical Structures, and Textiles. Children begin by exploring existing products and designers, helping them understand function, form, and user needs. They use this research to set their own design criteria, ensuring their projects are purposeful and user-focused.
Throughout each unit, children are taught the skills needed to design, create, and evaluate their own products, building on prior learning. The subject encourages a range of skills including collaboration, creativity, resilience, innovation, and reflection. In Food Technology, pupils learn where food comes from, how to maintain a balanced diet, and how to prepare healthy meals.
The design process is central to every project and includes ongoing self- and peer-evaluation to ensure children understand how their work links to the original brief and how it can be improved.
Impact
Our curriculum equips children with transferrable skills and knowledge, helping them become confident, capable designers who are ready for future challenges. Assessment is ongoing throughout each unit, enabling teachers to tailor support and challenge where needed. At the end of each year, summative assessments help inform progress and identify areas for development.
Subject leaders also monitor DT through book scrutiny, learning walks, and pupil interviews, ensuring the curriculum remains effective, engaging, and impactful across the whole school.