Design & Technology

Design and Technology at Penwortham Primary School
Design and Technology is an inspiring, practical subject that enables children to solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts. It encourages creativity, innovation and enterprise while building resilience and critical thinking. At Penwortham Primary School, DT prepares pupils to participate in an increasingly technological world by developing essential life skills including planning, designing, making, evaluating and adapting. 

Our curriculum is rooted in the National Curriculum for Design and Technology and delivered through a carefully sequenced programme inspired by the Kapow scheme, ensuring clear progression in knowledge, skills and vocabulary from Nursery to Year 6. 

 

Intent 
Our intention is to provide a DT curriculum that: 

  • develops creative thinkers and problem solvers 

  • builds practical expertise in designing and making 

  • teaches children to evaluate products critically 

  • fosters independence and perseverance 

  • promotes safe use of tools and materials 

  • encourages understanding of nutrition and healthy lifestyles 

  • prepares pupils for future learning and real-world application 

In line with the National Curriculum, pupils are taught to: 

  • develop design skills through purposeful projects 

  • generate, develop, model and communicate ideas 

  • select and use tools and materials safely 

  • evaluate their own and others’ products 

  • understand key technical knowledge 

  • apply cooking and nutrition principles 

We aim for every child to see DT as relevant, exciting and embedded in everyday life. 

Implementation 
Curriculum Structure 
DT is taught through discrete units alongside cross-curricular links. Units are sequenced to build progression across the following strands: 

  • Mechanisms 

  • Structures 

  • Textiles 

  • Electrical systems 

  • Cooking and nutrition 

  • Digital and mechanical design 

Each unit follows a consistent cycle: 

Research → Design → Make → Evaluate 

This ensures children understand that DT is a process rather than a one-off activity. 

Impact 
The impact of our DT curriculum is seen in: 

  • confident, capable designers and makers 

  • high-quality finished products 

  • strong technical vocabulary 

  • increasing independence 

  • resilience and problem-solving 

  • understanding of healthy eating 

  • ability to evaluate and improve work 

By Year 6, pupils demonstrate secure practical skills and a strong understanding of the design process. They leave prepared for secondary education and everyday life.

Design and Technology Key Documents

DT Policy - Penwortham Primary.pdf
DT Overview - Penwortham Primary School

Design and Technology resources

Design and Technology in Action