DT: Intent and Overview

Design and Technology Curriculum Intent Statement 

At Churchfield Church School, we are designers. Our intent is to deliver a creative, practical, and ambitious Design and Technology (D&T) curriculum that equips children with the skills to design, make, and evaluate products that solve real and relevant problems. We want pupils to become resourceful, innovative, and enterprising learners who can apply their knowledge across subjects and into the wider world. 

Our curriculum is designed to: 

• Align with the National Curriculum by teaching children to design purposeful products, use tools and materials safely, and evaluate their work. 

• Encourage creativity and problem-solving, giving children opportunities to design and make products for specific users and purposes. 

• Build progression of skills from EYFS through KS1 and KS2, ensuring children revisit and deepen prior learning. 

• Develop technical knowledge in structures, mechanisms, textiles, electrical systems, and food technology. 

• Promote resilience and independence, encouraging children to test, refine, and improve their ideas. 

• Foster cultural and environmental awareness, helping children understand how design impacts society and sustainability. 

📘 Skills by Key Stage 

End of Key Stage 1 (Years 1–2) 

By the end of KS1, children should be able to: 

• Design purposeful, functional products based on simple criteria. 

• Generate ideas through talking, drawing, and modelling. 

• Select from a range of tools and materials to make products safely. 

• Build simple structures and mechanisms (e.g. levers, wheels, sliders). 

• Use basic technical vocabulary to describe their work. 

• Evaluate their products against design criteria. 

• Begin to understand where food comes from and prepare simple dishes safely. 

End of Lower Key Stage 2 (Years 3–4) 

By the end of Lower KS2, children should be able to: 

• Use research to inform designs and consider the needs of users. 

• Develop ideas through annotated sketches, prototypes, and ICT. 

• Select tools and materials with increasing independence and accuracy. 

• Apply knowledge of structures, textiles, and mechanical systems (e.g. gears, pulleys, linkages). 

• Begin to use electrical circuits and components in products. 

• Evaluate ideas and products against design criteria, considering functionality and aesthetics. 

• Understand seasonality and prepare dishes using a range of ingredients. 

End of Upper Key Stage 2 (Years 5–6) 

By the end of Upper KS2, children should be able to: 

• Generate innovative ideas, considering function, purpose, and sustainability. 

• Use detailed plans, prototypes, and computer-aided design (CAD) to develop products. 

• Work with a wide range of tools, materials, and components with precision. 

• Apply knowledge of mechanical and electrical systems confidently. 

• Understand and use complex structures and textiles with accuracy. 

• Critically evaluate their own and others’ products, suggesting improvements. 

• Understand the principles of a healthy and varied diet, and cook a range of savoury dishes. 

• Appreciate how D&T impacts daily life, industry, and the wider world.