Design and Technology

Intent

At The Phoenix Federation, we aspire for our children to become creative, innovative and resourceful designers who are confident in solving real-life problems and responding to the needs of others.

Our Design and Technology curriculum encourages pupils to think creatively, take risks, develop resilience and apply their imagination through purposeful design. Through designing, making and evaluating products, pupils learn how ideas can be developed into practical solutions for real and relevant contexts.

We provide a broad and ambitious curriculum that develops technical knowledge, practical skills and an understanding of materials, structures, mechanisms, electrical systems and food technology. Pupils are encouraged to consider the needs, wants and values of others whilst developing solutions to challenges they encounter.

Design and Technology also provides opportunities for pupils to apply knowledge from science, mathematics, computing and art, helping them understand how different disciplines work together to shape the world around them. Through exposure to significant designers, engineers, architects and inventors, we aim to inspire future aspirations and develop an understanding of the important role design and technology plays in society.

Implementation

Design and Technology is taught through three carefully sequenced units each academic year. Learning builds progressively throughout the primary phase, enabling pupils to revisit and apply previously taught knowledge and skills whilst developing increasing confidence and independence as designers.

The curriculum is structured around the three key stages of the design process:

Design

Pupils investigate existing products, explore the needs of users and develop design criteria. They communicate ideas through discussion, research and annotated sketches.

Make

Pupils develop practical skills and apply their knowledge of tools, materials, components and techniques to create purposeful products. They are encouraged to solve problems, make informed choices and adapt designs when necessary.

Evaluate

Pupils evaluate products throughout the design process, considering how effectively they meet the intended purpose and identifying ways they could be improved. They learn that successful design often involves testing, refining and improving ideas.

Across the curriculum, pupils develop skills and knowledge in:

• Structures
• Mechanisms
• Electrical systems
• Textiles
• Food and nutrition

Technical vocabulary is explicitly taught and revisited to support understanding and application.

Retrieval opportunities are built into each unit to strengthen prior learning and support long-term memory. Teachers use observation, discussion, product outcomes and quizzes to assess understanding, identify misconceptions and inform future learning.

Learning is further enriched through whole-school showcases, exhibitions and opportunities to celebrate innovation, creativity and problem-solving across the Federation.

Impact

The impact of our Design and Technology curriculum is evident in the creativity, confidence and problem-solving skills demonstrated by our pupils. Children develop the knowledge and technical understanding needed to design, make and evaluate products whilst applying their learning to real-world situations.

By the time pupils leave The Phoenix Federation, they are able to:

• Design products for a specific purpose and audience.
• Generate, develop and communicate creative ideas.
• Apply technical knowledge and practical skills confidently.
• Select and use appropriate tools, equipment and materials safely and effectively.
• Evaluate products and identify ways to improve them.
• Demonstrate resilience when solving problems and overcoming challenges.
• Work collaboratively and communicate ideas effectively.
• Understand the impact of design and technology on everyday life and the wider world.
• Apply their knowledge and skills across STEM-related contexts.

Assessment evidence, including product outcomes, discussion and evaluation, demonstrates that pupils are able to recall and apply previously taught knowledge with increasing confidence and independence.

Pupils leave the Federation as creative, resourceful and enterprising learners who understand that innovation requires curiosity, resilience and reflection. They are well prepared for the next stage of their education and inspired to consider future opportunities within engineering, technology, design and other STEM-related fields.

Subject Statement

“At The Phoenix Federation, we believe that Design and Technology empowers children to become creative thinkers, innovators and confident problem-solvers. Through designing, making and evaluating products, pupils learn how ideas can be developed into meaningful solutions that improve the world around them. We encourage children to take risks, learn from mistakes and see challenges as opportunities for growth. By combining creativity with practical skills and technical knowledge, our curriculum develops resourceful learners who are prepared for the opportunities and challenges of an ever-changing world.”cation that makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth, and well-being of the nation, of which the Federation is keen to be a leader in.