Design & Technology

Intent

At JOPS, our Design & Technology curriculum is designed to inspire pupils to use their creativity and imagination to design and make products that solve real and relevant problems. Through D&T, children learn to take risks, become resourceful, innovative and enterprising, and develop an appreciation of how design impacts daily life and the wider world. We aim for our pupils to leave primary school with the skills, confidence and curiosity to continue exploring design, engineering and technology.

Implementation

Our curriculum provides a clear progression of knowledge and skills from Early Years to Year 6. Each unit follows the design, make and evaluate process, ensuring pupils learn the essential principles of design. Lessons are hands-on and practical, allowing children to experiment with structures, mechanisms, electrical systems, textiles and food technology. Cross-curricular links with maths, science, computing and art are made explicit, and opportunities to work with real-world contexts and users are embedded. Teachers adapt projects to meet the needs of their classes while ensuring national curriculum coverage and skill progression.

Impact

As a result of our D&T curriculum, children become confident problem-solvers who are not afraid to take creative risks. They develop resilience, critical thinking and teamwork skills, as well as the technical knowledge to make functional and appealing products. Pupil voice, project outcomes and evaluation tasks show that children enjoy D&T, take pride in their work, and understand the iterative nature of design. By the end of Key Stage 2, pupils are well-prepared for the next stage of their education and have a lifelong appreciation for design, engineering and innovation.