Design & Technology at Thringstone
Design & Technology gives children the opportunity to become creative problem-solvers. They learn to design, make and evaluate products while developing practical skills that prepare them for everyday life.
Our Design & Technology curriculum reflects our curriculum drivers of Aspiration and Communication. Children work collaboratively, communicate their ideas and learn that successful designs often come through testing, adapting and improving. They are encouraged to think creatively, take risks and develop resilience as designers.
We use the Kapow Primary curriculum to provide a carefully sequenced programme that builds knowledge and practical skills from Reception to Year 6.
How We Teach Design & Technology
Every unit follows the same design process, helping children understand how designers, engineers and inventors develop successful products.
Children learn to:
- Design products for a clear purpose and audience
- Make using a range of tools, materials and techniques
- Evaluate their work and identify ways to improve it
- Develop technical knowledge of structures, mechanisms, textiles, food and electrical systems
As children move through the school, they revisit these skills in increasingly challenging contexts, allowing knowledge and confidence to grow over time.
Early Years
In Reception, children begin designing and making through purposeful play and exploration.
They investigate different materials, build models, use construction equipment and create using a variety of tools and techniques. Through these experiences they begin to solve simple problems, develop fine motor skills and explain the choices they make.
Developing Design Skills
Throughout the school, children explore a wide range of areas including:
- Structures
- Mechanisms
- Textiles
- Food and Nutrition
- Electrical Systems
- Digital Design
Children learn to plan carefully, select appropriate materials, use tools safely and evaluate how effectively their products meet the original design brief.
Food technology also develops children's understanding of healthy eating, nutrition and basic food preparation skills.
Designing for the Real World
Design & Technology is about solving real problems.
Children design products for different users and purposes, learning how technology, engineering and design shape everyday life. They investigate existing products, learn from designers and inventors, and apply their own creativity to produce practical, high-quality outcomes.
By the time children leave Thringstone, they have developed the confidence to think creatively, work practically and approach problems with curiosity, resilience and imagination.