Design and Technology

Using creativity and imagination, pupils at Highgate Primary School design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values.

Design and technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject.

Children acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art. Pupils 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. 

The national curriculum for design and technology aims to ensure that all pupils:

  • develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world.
  • build 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.
  • critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products and the work of others.
  • understand and apply the principles of nutrition and learn how to cook.

Through a variety of creative and practical activities, pupils are taught the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to engage in an iterative process of designing and making. They work in a range of relevant contexts for example, the home, school, leisure, culture, enterprise, industry and the wider environment.

Within Design Technology, pupils are taught to:

  • use research and develop design criteria to inform the design of innovative, functional, appealing products that are fit for purpose, aimed at particular individuals or groups.
  • generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through discussion, annotated sketches, cross-sectional and exploded diagrams, prototypes, pattern pieces and computer-aided design.

  • select from and use a wider range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks accurately for example, cutting, shaping, joining and finishing.
  • select from and use a wider range of materials and components, including construction materials, textiles and ingredients, according to their functional properties and aesthetic qualities.

  • investigate and analyse a range of existing products.
  • evaluate their ideas and products against their own design criteria and consider the views of others to improve their work.
  • understand how key events and individuals in design and technology have helped shape the world.

  • apply their understanding of how to strengthen, stiffen and reinforce more complex structures. 
  • understand and use mechanical systems in their products for example, gears, pulleys, cams, levers and linkages.
  • understand and use electrical systems in their products for example, series circuits incorporating switches, bulbs, buzzers and motors.
  • apply their understanding of computing to program, monitor and control their products.

Explore our curriculum

Highgate Primary Curriculum

Highgate Primary Curriculum

Other curriculum subjects

Curriculum Subjects

Curriculum by year group

Curriculum by Year Group