At Bignold Primary School, we recognise that Design and Technology (DT) is vital in developing creativity, problem-solving skills and practical abilities. Our DT curriculum enables our pupils to understand how design and technology impacts on daily life and society. It draws on pupils existing knowledge from maths, science, computing and art, allowing them to see the connections that exist between subjects. We aim to inspire pupils to acquire knowledge as designers and technologists and support them to skilfully apply their understanding. Each DT unit has been devised to be delivered in a block, once a term, taught over 2/3 half days to allow pupils to immerse themselves in the design and technology process.

 

Our Design and Technology (DT) curriculum is knowledge rich and aspirational, with a focus on environmental sustainability and health and wellbeing. Our pupils are encouraged to be creative and innovative. Our DT curriculum is divided into different disciplines as outlined below. Vertical progression in each discipline has been deliberately woven through the curriculum, so that pupils revisit key disciplines throughout their primary school journey at increasing degrees of challenge and complexity. At the beginning of each DT unit of learning, pupils are given the opportunity to revisit prior learning that relates to the knowledge and skills they have already acquired. Our pupils use DT journals throughout their time at Bignold, progressing from class floor books in KS1 to individual journals in KS2 which support them to visualise their learning progression across their primary school career.

 

In addition to the core knowledge required to be successful within each discipline, our curriculum outlines key aspects of development in Working as a Designer. Each unit focuses on promoting different aspects of these competencies:

 

 We are constantly looking for opportunities for our pupils to take part in design and technology experiences outside of the classroom environment. In the autumn term 2026, selected pupils will be given the opportunity to participate in the Royal Ballet and Opera Schools Live Lessons based on The Magic Flute and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. During these, pupils will learn about the design process, discover how set designers create props for stage performances, make their own props and meet with a designer and ask them questions. Through these experiences, we aim to develop our pupils’ cultural capital and introduce them to careers which link to design and technology.

We use the CUSP Scheme of Learning to support our planning and resourcing for all children, including those with SEND and from disadvantaged backgrounds. We have high ambitions for all our children; we scaffold learning when needed so that all children achieve well in Design and Technology and are able to engage in every part of the design process.