Design Technology
At St Thomas Primary, we believe that Design and Technology (DT) is all about creativity, problem-solving, and innovation. Through practical, hands-on experiences, children learn how to design, make and evaluate products that have a real purpose — developing skills they can use both now and in the future.
DT encourages children to become curious thinkers and creative doers. It helps them understand how things work, how ideas are brought to life, and how design can make a difference in the world.
Our Aims
Our DT curriculum follows the National Curriculum for Design and Technology (2014). It aims to ensure that all pupils:
- Develop creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world.
- Build and apply a broad range of knowledge, understanding and skills to design and make high-quality products for a range of users.
- Critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products, as well as the work of others.
- Understand and apply the principles of nutrition and learn how to cook.
Through these aims, children not only learn how to design and make things — they also learn to think critically, solve problems and work collaboratively.
Learning in DT
Each DT project at St Thomas follows a clear process of Design – Make – Evaluate:
- Design: Pupils explore real-life examples, ask questions, and plan their own ideas using drawings, prototypes and models.
- Make: Children use tools, materials and equipment safely and creatively to bring their ideas to life.
- Evaluate: Pupils reflect on their finished product, discussing what worked well, what could be improved, and how their product meets its purpose.
Our curriculum covers a wide range of skills, including mechanisms, structures, textiles, electrical systems, and food technology, giving children a broad foundation for creative thinking and practical problem-solving.
Cooking and Nutrition
Food technology is an important part of our DT curriculum. Children learn where food comes from, the importance of a balanced diet, and how to prepare simple, healthy dishes.
By developing cooking skills early, we aim to give pupils the confidence and understanding to make healthy choices throughout their lives.
REACH and Learning for Life
Our DT lessons are rooted in our school’s REACH values — Respect, Equality, Aspiration, Community and Harmony. Children learn to:
- Respect tools, materials and each other’s ideas.
- Work together in community, listening and sharing skills.
- Show aspiration by persevering through design challenges and aiming for quality results.
- Foster equality and harmony by celebrating diverse perspectives and approaches to design.
We also link DT closely with our Learning for Life skills:
- Noticing – observing how things work and spotting ways to improve them.
- Thinking – planning, problem-solving and reflecting.
- Speaking and Listening – sharing ideas, explaining designs and evaluating results.
- Teamwork – collaborating to bring creative ideas to life.
- Perseverance – refining ideas and overcoming challenges.
These skills help children grow as independent, resilient learners who take pride in their creativity and achievements.
The Impact of DT
By the time pupils leave St Thomas, they will have:
- Developed a practical understanding of how products are designed and made.
- Gained confidence in using tools, equipment and materials safely.
- Learned to evaluate and improve their own work thoughtfully.
- Built a sense of pride, creativity and problem-solving that extends beyond the classroom.
Through Design and Technology, our children learn to think like designers, inventors and engineers — imaginative, resourceful and ready to shape the world around them.
