"Design and technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. Using creativity and imagination, pupils design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. ...High-quality design and technology education makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of the nation."

National Curriculum, DfE 2014

The teaching of Design and Technology at St James’ Church of England Primary School helps all children to become discriminating and informed consumers and potential innovators.  Using creativity and imagination, pupils design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts. Children learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising, and capable citizens. By the end of each key stage, pupils are expected to know, apply and understand the matters, skills and processes specified in the relevant early learning goal or programme of study. 

There are so many careers in Design and Technology that children may go on to pursue, including: graphic design, interior design, industrial design, engineering, web developer, nutritionist, aeronautical engineer and many more!

Through the Design and Technology curriculum, we aim to: 

By the end of each key stage, pupils are expected to know, apply and understand the knowledge and skills specified in the relevant early learning goals or programme of study. By the end of Key Stage 2, our end points for pupils are: 

Our Design and Technology curriculum is based on the National Curriculum, plus our vision, values and mission (RACE: Respect, Aspiration, Community, Enquiring Minds). This cyclical curriculum focuses on the 6 aspects below and our pupils revisit these aspects throughout their time in our school every year, with two aspects only being introduced in KS2 (electrical systems & digital systems). Each time they revisit an aspect, it is with increasing complexity to build on their prior knowledge. In each of the 3 core projects they complete each year they build on their ability to design, make and evaluate. We develop pupils’ understanding of cooking and nutrition through a focus each term from EYFS-Y6, where pupils grow, harvest and cook food from our school allotment. This develops an understanding of from farm to fork, so that pupils plant food seasonally from seed and also look at how harvested food is stored.  In addition, they are given opportunities to use their growing technical vocabulary, whilst also examining the work of famous crafts people, designers, inventors, and engineers.