Design and Technology

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Design and Technology at Lapage

Imagining, Designing and Creating Solutions for the World Around Us.

At Lapage, we want every child to be a creative thinker, a curious problem-solver and a confident designer who can turn ideas into reality.

Design and Technology (DT) gives children the opportunity to explore how things work, develop ideas and create solutions to real-life problems. Through practical experiences, children learn to design, make and evaluate products using a range of materials, tools and techniques. They also develop their understanding of healthy eating, cooking and where food comes from.

Our curriculum builds knowledge and practical skills progressively from Nursery to Year 6. We want our children to leave Lapage as imaginative, resourceful and resilient designers, ready to apply their skills to everyday challenges and the world around them.

Our Vision for Design and Technology

Our DT curriculum combines creativity, technical knowledge, practical skills and evaluation.

Children learn to design and make products for different purposes and users. They develop their ability to select materials, use tools safely, solve problems and evaluate their finished products. Through cooking and nutrition, they also learn about healthy eating and food preparation.

We aim for children to:

Develop creativity, imagination and problem-solving skills.
Design purposeful products for different users and needs.
Develop practical skills using tools, materials and equipment safely.
Understand how structures, mechanisms and electrical systems work.
Plan, make, test and improve their own products.
Evaluate existing products and explain how designs can be improved.
Develop an understanding of healthy eating, nutrition and food preparation.
Build resilience, independence and confidence when tackling challenges.
Understand how design and technology influence everyday life.

What Will Children Learn?

Early Years – Nursery and Reception

In the Early Years, children develop the foundations of DT through play, exploration, construction and creative experiences.

Children explore:

Building, joining and combining different materials.
Creating models, structures and imaginative objects.
Exploring how things work and solving simple problems.
Using tools and equipment safely with adult guidance.
Preparing simple foods and developing independence.

Children begin to share their ideas, make choices about materials and talk about what they have created.

Key Stage 1 – Years 1 and 2

Children begin to design and make purposeful products for different users and needs.

Children explore:

Structures and ways to make them stronger.
Mechanisms, including sliders, levers, wheels and axles.
Joining, cutting and shaping materials.
Textiles and simple joining techniques.
Preparing simple dishes and understanding healthy eating.

They learn to develop design ideas, select materials, use tools safely and evaluate their finished products.

Lower Key Stage 2 – Years 3 and 4

Children develop their practical skills and apply their knowledge to more detailed design challenges.

Children explore:

Designing products for specific purposes and users.
Strengthening structures and using mechanical systems.
Developing sewing, joining and finishing techniques.
Selecting materials for their properties and suitability.
Preparing and cooking a variety of dishes.
Understanding nutrition and the seasonality of ingredients.

They learn to plan, measure, make accurately, test products and suggest improvements.

Upper Key Stage 2 – Years 5 and 6

Children apply their knowledge and skills with increasing independence, tackling more complex design challenges.

Children explore:

Designing and making innovative products.
Constructing more complex structures and mechanisms.
Using electrical systems and components.
Selecting and using materials and tools accurately.
Planning, preparing and cooking a range of dishes.
Evaluating products and considering sustainability.

They learn to refine prototypes, justify design decisions and evaluate how well their products meet their intended purpose.

Your Subject in Action

At Lapage, DT is a practical, hands-on subject where children learn by designing, making, testing and improving.

Children might build a strong bridge, create a moving toy, design a fabric product, construct a model with an electrical circuit or prepare a healthy meal. They investigate existing products, experiment with materials and techniques, and evaluate their creations against their original ideas.

Through these experiences, children develop creativity, teamwork, resilience and the confidence to learn from mistakes.

Enrichment and Wider Opportunities

Children are encouraged to make connections between DT and the world around them through practical challenges, exploring the work of designers and engineers, cooking activities and learning about sustainability. Where opportunities arise, projects may be enriched through visits, visitors, exhibitions and links with other curriculum subjects.

Supporting DT at Home

Families can help children develop their DT skills through simple activities at home:

Build models using construction toys, cardboard and recycled materials.
Talk about everyday products and how they work.
Encourage children to solve problems and improve their designs.
Cook together and explore ingredients and healthy eating.
Reuse materials creatively and discuss ways to reduce waste.

Encouraging children to share their ideas, experiment and learn from mistakes helps them become confident and resourceful designers.

DT-progression-of-skills-and-intent-UPDATED-2026-1.pdf

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