Design and Technology

Grow your learning in Design and Technology

"Design and technology should be the subject where mathematical brainboxes and science whizzkids turn their bright ideas into useful products" James Dyson 

At Appletree our design and technology curriculum aims to ensure that all pupils develop the creative, technical and practical skills needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world.

Intent, Implementation and Impact

Our curriculum ethos has been specifically designed for our learning community and it supports us to plan and teach and evaluate our success.

At Appletree Gardens First School we intend Design and Technology to be creative and practical. The curriculum provides children with the opportunity to problem solve and develop their own creative ideas as individuals and as part of a team. We aim to provide our children with the opportunity to use their imagination to design, use tools safely and make products within a variety of contexts, to provide motivation and meaning to their learning. Evaluating and 'having a voice' is a fundamental part of the design process which is embedded throughout. Before designing and making a product, children evaluate existing products and evaluate their own at the end, allowing children to adapt and improve their product, a key skill which they will need throughout their life.

Children will be taught a range of topics including; mechanisms, textiles, food technology, structures, and electrical systems (in Key Stage 2). Our Design and Technology curriculum allows children to apply knowledge and skills learned in other subjects, particularly Maths, Science, Art and History, which we aim to link, wherever possible. At Appletree Gardens through hands-on, practical experiences we aim for children to leave Year 4 with some knowledge and skills of DT which will inspire children to be chefs, engineers, sculptures, carpenters, designers and architects. We recognise the important role of DT in preparing our children with skills for life which will enable them to reach their full potential. 

The intent of our food technology curriculum is to apply the principles of nutrition and healthy eating, instilling a love of cooking in all children. Learning how to cook is a crucial life skill for children now and in later life. Throughout their time at Appletree, we aim to encourage independent learning through practical participation.