Queen Boudica Primary School

At Queen Boudica Primary School, we are committed to providing our students with a high-quality education in Design and Technology, following the National Curriculum’s subject content. Our approach is based on an iterative structure that enables pupils to plan, design, make, and evaluate their projects, fostering an understanding of the create process used in industry.

 Through this, children are encouraged to use creativity and imagination to design and make products that solve real and relevant problems. They work within a variety of contexts, considering not only their own needs and ideas but also those of others, learning to appreciate different perspectives, wants and needs.

 The iterative cycle of planning, designing, making, and evaluating allows pupils to refine and improve their work at each stage, developing problem-solving skills, resilience, and critical thinking. This approach helps them understand that design is not just about creating things, but about meeting specific needs, improving functionality, and finding innovative solutions.

Our curriculum spans several exciting areas, ensuring that children are exposed to a wide range of design challenges and contexts. Some key areas of focus include:

Textiles: Pupils learn about a range of stitches and fabric properties, developing practical skills to design and make textile-based products. They explore how different materials behave and how to join and strengthen fabrics effectively.

 Food Technology: Our food technology units explore seasonality, food hygiene and the preparation of predominantly savoury dishes. Pupils learn how to follow recipes, handle ingredients safely and understand the importance of a balanced, healthy diet. In addition, children are taught about the importance of making cost-effective choices with regards to menu choices.

 Mechanisms: Pupils learn how things move by exploring simple mechanisms such as levers, sliders, gears, pulleys and linkages. They design and make products that use these mechanisms, understanding how movement can be controlled and applied for a purpose.

 Structures: Pupils investigate how to make strong, stable and secure structures. They explore different shapes, materials and ways of joining to understand how structures can be strengthened and made fit for purpose.

 Electrical Systems: Pupils learn how electrical products work by exploring simple circuits, including components such as bulbs, buzzers, motors and switches. They design and make products that use electrical systems, understanding how to control and apply electricity safely.

 The Digital World: In this unit, pupils explore how modern designers use Computer-Aided Design (CAD) to design, program and control products. This has close links with Computing, helping children develop the skills needed to work in an increasingly digital world.

 By engaging with these areas, pupils will develop a strong understanding of the role of design and technology in modern life and be equipped with valuable skills for the future. Whether it’s through crafting textiles, designing interactive products, or understanding the science behind food, our Design and Technology curriculum encourages children to think critically, solve problems, and work creatively, preparing them for success both in school and beyond.

Sustainability 

At Queen Boudica Primary School, we believe Design and Technology plays an important role in helping children understand sustainability and their impact on the world around them. Through Design and Technology, children are encouraged to make thoughtful choices about the materials and products they use every day.

In food technology, pupils learn about healthy eating, reducing food waste and choosing seasonal ingredients where possible. When designing and building structures, children are encouraged to reuse and recycle materials creatively, helping them understand the importance of reducing waste. In textiles, pupils explore different fabric choices and begin to understand how materials can affect the environment.

Children also evaluate products carefully, considering how designs, materials and packaging can impact the environment and how products can be improved to become more sustainable.

By embedding sustainability within Design and Technology, we aim to develop responsible, thoughtful learners who are prepared to make positive choices for the future.

Curriculum Structure

Each year group will complete three design and technology projects each year, alternating with Art and Design on the timetable.

Children will complete units in the following areas of Design and Technology:

Textiles – Years 1, 3 and 5

Food and Nutrition – Years 1, 2, 4 and 6

Mechanisms – Years 2, 3 and 5

Structures – Years 1, 2, 4 and 5

The Digital World (KS2 only – Years 3, 5 and 6)

Electrical Systems (KS2 only – Years 4 and 6)

Here is a link to the long-term curriculum map and a summary of each DT unit.