Our Design and Technology Curriculum

"Design is not just what it looks like and feels like, Design is how it works" - Steve Jobs

At Coberley, we believe Design and Technology should be inspiring, practical, and creative and our curriculum is crafted from the National Curriculum. Our children learn to use their imagination to design and make products that solve real problems and meet the needs of others.

Through D&T, pupils draw on skills from maths, science, computing, and art, helping them make connections across their learning. Our Learning Pathways and Key Concepts help children understand their learning journey and see how D&T links to their everyday lives. D&T encourages children to take risks, think creatively, and become resourceful and innovative. By exploring a diverse range of Key People, we aim to inspire the designers and inventors of the future.

Click to Download Design and Technology Curriculum Map [pdf 150KB] Click to Download
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Innovate, make and evaluate!

D&T inspires children to solve the worlds problems, by designing, making and evaluating. Our children at Coberley use their technical skills and knowledge to develop products fit for purpose, for a given audience within a real-life context. We encourage pupils to be confident, creative risk takers and problem-solving citizens, who will have the skills to contribute to future advancements in a rapidly changing world.

Cooking is a skill for life!

Cooking in a regular part of our curriculum. It means pupils at Coberley will understand how to use tools safely to prepare healthy meals and follow recipes that make up a balanced diet. We want our pupils to understand the importance of maintaining optimal health through a varied diet and to enjoy the process of cooking.

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

Design and Technology is found in different Early Learning Goals. The children in EYFS will develop their fine motor skills and expressive art and design whilst they explore food and mechanical elements of D&T.

Key Stage 1 (Years 1 and 2)

As children become more explorative designers in Key Stage 1, they begin to build upon their knowledge, skills and understanding of D&T in everyday lives. Teachers are more free to choose how to incorporate food, mechanical, textiles and woodwork into their curriculum, linking to individual year group topics.

Key Stage 2 (Year 3 to 6)

At Key Stage 2, children continue to develop their knowledge and skills in D&T, becoming more independent designers and using more complex skills. Knex Stem workshops are used in Year 4 and 5 to inspire children with real life technology. In Key Stage 2, children explore the following areas of D&T:

  • Food and Seasonality
  • Mechanical
  • Electronics
  • Textiles
  • Woodwork
  • Knowledge based units

How can you support your child with Design and Technology?

At home, there are several different ways you can support your child with Design and Technology. These can be things such as planning and cooking the evening meal or making models with a function or purpose.

Start to work towards the school's Ready for Life Awards. The awards encourage our children to take part in a range of activities and to develop a healthier lifestyle.

There are number of different museums and events in the local area and beyond that support D&T thinking: