Design & Technology
Design is intelligence made visible.
Alina Wheeler
Why design & technology?
Design and Technology is an important part of the curriculum because it helps children learn how to design, make, and evaluate practical solutions to real-world problems. DT encourages creativity and innovation while developing essential skills such as planning, measuring, and using tools safely.
Through DT, pupils learn how things work, explore materials and mechanisms, and understand the importance of design in everyday life. It also builds resilience and problem-solving skills, as children test ideas, adapt plans, and improve their work. These experiences prepare them for future learning in science, engineering, and technology—and for life beyond school.
Design & technology intent
An RPS child will exercise their creativity through designing, making and evaluating. Children will build and apply a repertoire of knowledge and draw on their prior learning from other subjects including maths, science, art and computing. They will have the opportunity to become designers, inventors and engineers and recognise the importance of design and technology on daily life and the wider world.
Key design & technology knowledge and skills
In DT, children develop both practical skills and important knowledge. They learn how to design and make products for a purpose, using a range of materials and tools safely. Pupils explore how things work, understand mechanisms like levers and wheels, and learn about structures and simple electrical circuits.
Key skills include planning and drawing designs, measuring and cutting accurately, joining materials, and evaluating their finished work. DT also teaches problem-solving and resilience—children test ideas, adapt plans, and improve their designs, preparing them for future learning in science, engineering, and technology.
How design & technology is taught
DT is taught through practical, hands-on projects that encourage creativity and problem-solving. Children start by exploring real-life problems and thinking about who their product is for. They then learn to plan and draw designs, choose suitable materials, and use tools safely to make their ideas come to life.
Lessons often include learning about structures, mechanisms, and simple circuits, as well as food technology and nutrition. Pupils test and evaluate their work, making improvements along the way. This approach helps children develop resilience, teamwork, and practical skills that link to science, maths, and everyday life.
Design & technology overview