Design and Technology at Wicor

We fully support the purpose and aims of Design and Technology as set out in the National Curriculum. We believe its ambition enables children to think creatively and solve problems, develop a passion for the subject, and become motivated to explore and learn independently.

Our DT curriculum reflects the wider ethos of our school by encouraging children to develop enquiring minds, broaden their understanding of the world, and build their cultural capital. We enhance our provision through extensive use of our allotments and horticultural curriculum, which enrich the cooking and nutrition elements of the National Curriculum.

Purpose of Study

The National Curriculum states that Design and Technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. Through creativity and imagination, pupils design and make products that solve real and relevant problems in a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values.

They acquire a broad range of knowledge and draw upon disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art. Pupils learn to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative and enterprising. Through evaluating past and present design and technology, they develop a critical understanding of its impact on everyday life and the wider world.

High-quality DT education makes a vital contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of the nation.

Aims

The National Curriculum for Design and Technology aims to ensure that all pupils:

How is DT organised in our school?

We take advantage of the flexibility within the National Curriculum, which does not prescribe specific year group content. This allows us to structure our curriculum so that children revisit key aspects of Design and Technology throughout their time at Wicor.

This approach enables pupils to build upon their problem-solving and construction skills over time, supporting them in becoming confident and proficient designers and makers. It also allows teachers to draw on their own strengths and interests to enrich learning experiences.

Design and Technology is taught through modules of varying lengths. Each module is a carefully planned programme of learning centred around a theme and often links with other subjects. We recognise the value of DT in bringing learning to life and enhancing it through meaningful cross-curricular connections.

Each module is guided by one or more enquiry questions, which provide focus, direction and purpose to the learning.

How will your child learn DT at Wicor?

Children develop their design, construction, evaluation and technological skills through practical, hands-on experiences. Opportunities to explore, dismantle and analyse existing products help them understand how things are made, while learning about key designers and innovators inspires creativity and critical thinking.

Through these experiences, children engage in an iterative process of designing, making and improving their work, bringing the subject to life.

Our strong focus on environmental learning makes full use of our extensive school grounds, including large allotment areas where children actively plant, nurture and harvest produce. This supports year-round cooking opportunities, allowing children to use ingredients they have grown themselves.

We further enrich this experience through partnerships with local businesses, who work with pupils during harvest time to promote the importance of locally sourced food and support adventurous cooking projects.

This sustained focus fosters an understanding of nutrition, healthy eating and a love of food. Cooking is taught as an essential life skill, empowering children to prepare meals for themselves and others affordably and confidently, both now and in the future.