Design and Technology
At Whittlefield, Design and Technology prepares children to participate confidently in an ever-changing technological world. Through creative thinking and practical experiences, pupils are encouraged to develop skills that enable them to make positive contributions to their everyday lives and wider society. Design and Technology promotes independence, resilience and problem-solving, allowing children to work both individually and collaboratively to design purposeful products and systems. Through the subject, pupils learn to identify needs, generate ideas and apply their knowledge to create innovative solutions. They also develop an understanding of aesthetic, social and environmental considerations, alongside the ways in which products are designed and manufactured in the wider world. This helps children become informed consumers and future innovators in a society shaped by technology and design.
At Whittlefield, we follow the Oak National Academy Design and Technology curriculum alongside the National Curriculum programmes of study. Lessons are carefully sequenced to build knowledge, technical skills and vocabulary progressively across each year group. Our curriculum follows the design process of “Design, Make and Evaluate,” ensuring that children develop the ability to investigate existing products, generate ideas, create purposeful outcomes and evaluate their effectiveness.
The technical areas covered within our DT curriculum include Construction, Mechanisms, Textiles, Electrical Systems and Food and Nutrition. We place particular importance on Food and Nutrition due to its relevance to healthy lifestyles and life skills, and pupils study this area regularly throughout their time in school. Through the Oak National Academy curriculum, children revisit and build upon prior learning, enabling them to develop increasing confidence, accuracy and independence in using tools, materials and techniques.
During DT lessons, children are encouraged to question how products work and to think critically about design choices. They explore existing products, carry out research and use this understanding to inform their own ideas and designs. As pupils progress through school, they develop their ability to communicate ideas through labelled sketches, prototypes and annotated plans before producing final outcomes. Teachers model technical skills and safe working practices throughout the making process, supporting children in developing precision and craftsmanship.
Evaluation is an essential part of the design process at Whittlefield. Children are encouraged to reflect on their work, considering the effectiveness, appearance and functionality of their products. They learn to identify strengths, suggest improvements and understand how design decisions influence the final outcome. Through this approach, pupils develop creativity, technical knowledge and the confidence to apply their learning in meaningful and practical ways.