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DT

"There are three responses to a piece of design - yes, no and WOW! Wow is the one to aim for." 

Milton Glaser

Our Intent

Here at Norbreck Primary Academy, we want our Design and Technology curriculum to provide a real-life context for learning.  We want our children to see themselves as chefs, engineers, architects and designers. It is our intention to send our children out into the world equipped with the imagination and creativity to recognise real-world issues and be able to use their skills to tackle them. Our Design and Technology curriculum helps all children to become discriminating and informed consumers and potential innovators, and nurtures excitement, experimentation, self-fulfilment and a positive appreciation of the value of doing.

 

We intend for our pupils at Norbreck Primary Academy:

  1. To develop imaginative thinking and be able to talk about what they like and dislike when designing and making;
  2. To discuss how things work, and to draw and model their ideas
  3. To select appropriate tools, materials and techniques for making a product, whilst following safe procedures;
  4. To develop problem-solving and experimentation to create innovative solutions to practical problems;
  5. To explore attitudes towards the made world and how we live and work within it;
  6. To make links between Design and Technology and other curriculum areas and make abstract concepts more meaningful (eg, electricity, forces)
  7. To develop an understanding of technological processes, products, and their manufacture, and their contribution to our society;
  8.   To foster enjoyment, satisfaction, creativity and purpose in designing and making.

 

 

 

Cultural Capital

The teaching of Design and Technology at Norbreck Primary Academy offers opportunities to support the social development of our children through the way we expect them to work with each other in lessons. Through their collaborative and co-operative work across a range of activities and experiences in design and technology, the children develop respect for the abilities of other children and a better understanding of themselves. Children recognise their own positive contributions and those of others. They also develop a respect for the environment, for their own health and safety and for that of others.

They develop their cultural awareness and understanding, and they learn to appreciate the value of differences and similarities. A variety of experiences teaches them to appreciate that all people are equally important, and that the needs of individuals are not the same as the needs of groups. We investigate how to design and develop products to assist where these needs arise. 

 

How we Implement Design and Technology at Norbreck

Design and Technology (DT) is a foundation subject within the National Curriculum. At [School Name], we deliver DT through our Creative Curriculum, creating meaningful, hands-on learning experiences that link to cross-curricular, topic-based projects. Children engage in both focused skill sessions and complete design projects, ensuring a balance between technical knowledge and creative application.

Our planning follows the National Curriculum objectives and key skills, reflecting the developmental stages children progress through. Each term, DT is integrated into our Creative Curriculum planning, with ideas translated into detailed short-term plans. These plans outline curricular links to the term’s project or focus, ensuring a balanced coverage of:

  • Textiles
  • Food and hygiene
  • Card technology
  • Mechanisms

Skill-based objectives are progressive across all year groups, allowing children to build on prior learning. Every child, regardless of ability, is given opportunities to develop their skills, knowledge, and understanding. Planned progression ensures increasing challenge as pupils move through the school.

We follow a clear pedagogy for all DT projects:

Link it → Research it → Design it → Resource it → Make it → Evaluate it

All projects are documented in DT books, which are retained for three years (Years 1–3 and Years 4–6), providing a rich record of learning and achievement.

Long Term Plan

Click here and for the long term DT plan

Impact

We intend that children become designers throughout their time at Norbreck. We want them to be able to work with a range of different equipment best suited to their task at hand, making good choices about their intended outcome.

Pupil Voice

"I love D.T. I am really good at making things out of anything."

Amy, Year 2

"This year we have made illuminations including light circuits, and have created pizzas which were yummy! Mum won't let me choose those toppings at home!"

David, Year 4

I have been inspired by our sewing topic. On Sunday, I went home and made my own Christmas decoration for my baby cousin. I can't wait to give it to him!

Sam Year 5

 

 

"We make things all the time in class. My favourite was a fruit kebab."

Jonathan, Year 3

Gallery

 

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