The skills taught through the four strands of Design Technology enable the pupils at St Elisabeth's CE Primary to become innovative risk-takers with skills in structures, mechanisms, textiles and food that will assist them for life as an individual and as part of a team. This subject provides the pupils with the knowledge of industry and how products have stood the test of time. It then allows them to evaluate, create and problem-solve products for future use. This curriculum encourages pupils to look at products and to consider and understand the needs and wants of the desired audience and the value of products during their design stages. The pupils will evaluate the products for their sustainability and longevity, creating products to inspire the future development in Design Technology.

The Design Technology curriculum is taught through three strands of structures and mechanisms, textiles and nutrition. At each level, it provides the children with a secure knowledge of product design, production and evaluation. Broad links with science, computing, mathematics, history, art and P.E. facilitate the Design Technology curriculum in ensuring children have the knowledge and skills required to survive and succeed in an ever-changing world. Structure and mechanisms enables children to take historical product design to a new level. Through innovative design children can learn basic mechanics that show how products work efficiently and can evolve to become something useful in a modern world. Textiles gives children the ability to be self-sufficient and creative. Learning about textiles and the many practical uses it has, the skills development in this unit allows pupils to be expressive and create items that are multi-purpose and that are sustainable for the future. Nutrition provides children with knowledge of food, its production and health benefits. The unit initially supports children in the safe practice of preparing food and develops them into competent self-sufficient cooks. The nutrition unit provides them with knowledge of food, basic store-cupboard recipes to create a multitude of dishes and the ability to meal plan and substitute ingredients according to the season and availability.

Key skills and key knowledge for Design and Technology have been mapped across the school to ensure progression between year groups. This also ensures that there is a context for the children’s work in Design and Technology; that they learn about real life structures and the purpose of specific examples, as well as developing their skills throughout the units of work. Design and technology lessons are also taught as a block so that children’s learning is focused throughout each unit of work. The structure of each unit follows a cycle.:

Lesson 1
Evaluation of a product. Includes the history or longevity of the product where appropriate. Research stages of the product: how has it evolved? What already exists? Who is the target audience?

Lesson 2
Revisit prior skills and knowledge and teach new skills.

Lesson 3
Design own product.

Lesson 4
Begin to make product

Lesson 5
Refine and Improve. Teach additional skill.

Lesson 6
Test and Evaluate

Our curriculum aims to ensure the children develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world. Each year they build on and apply a repertoire of knowledge, understanding and skills in order to design and make high-quality prototypes and products for a wide range of users. They develop the ability to critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products and the work of others.

The children understand and apply the principles of nutrition and learn how to cook. Children will design and make a range of savory products with a good quality finish will be expected in all food designs. The activities are made appropriate to the age and ability of the child with a clear emphasis on health and safety when preparing and handling food.

Children will learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens. Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, they develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world. High-quality design and technology education makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of the nation but most importantly to the children of St Elisabeth's CE Primary.