At St Mary's, we are clear that the purpose of Design and Technology is to equip pupils with the knowledge, creativity and practical skills needed to identify problems, develop solutions and create products that meet real needs. Through Design and Technology, pupils learn to apply their understanding across a range of contexts, combining creativity with technical knowledge while developing resilience, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Our carefully sequenced curriculum enables pupils to progress from exploring materials, structures and simple mechanisms in the early years and Key Stage 1 to designing, making and evaluating increasingly sophisticated products in Key Stage 2.

Pupils learn to research existing products, communicate ideas through sketches, diagrams and prototypes, select appropriate materials and tools, and refine their work in response to evaluation and feedback. Alongside this, they develop a strong understanding of cooking and nutrition, progressing from basic food preparation and healthy eating to planning and preparing healthy meals and making informed choices about ingredients and nutrition.

As pupils move through the school, they build their understanding of structures, mechanisms, electrical systems and, in upper Key Stage 2, programmable products, applying growing technical knowledge to solve increasingly complex design challenges. By Year 6, pupils are able to draw upon research, innovation, practical skills and evaluation to design and create purposeful products that are both functional and appealing, preparing them to contribute confidently and creatively to the world around them.