Design & Technology | Anston Hillcrest

Here, you will find details about the National Curriculum for design and technology and how we integrate design and technology into our learning journeys at Anston Hillcrest Primary School.

Our Goals

At Anston Hillcrest, through our Learning Means the World Curriculum, we aim to inspire each child's creativity, innovation, and understanding of design and technology. Our structured curriculum equips children with the skills to design, make, and evaluate products with growing independence. We encourage problem-solving, critical thinking, and the use of a range of materials and techniques, empowering children to explore how design and technology shape the world around them.

Why?

Enhancing children's design and technology skills, creativity, and problem-solving abilities through a structured curriculum not only enriches their educational experience but also equips them with essential skills for success both in school and beyond. Developing an understanding of innovation, practical skills, and the design process is vital to children's holistic development, and our design and technology curriculum provides the foundation for this growth. By engaging with real-world challenges, children learn to think critically, work collaboratively, and apply their knowledge to create purposeful solutions, preparing them for future opportunities.

National Curriculum Design & Technology

Our Design and Technology Curriculum

Design and Technology at Anston Hillcrest is taught through thematic units that integrate practical skills, creative design thinking, and the application of subject knowledge.

Our satellite overview maps out which thematic units incorporate Design and Technology, highlighting the progression of key skills and objectives across the school. Each unit emphasises problem-solving, innovation, and hands-on learning through projects that encourage creativity and teamwork.

How is Design Technology taught?

Design Technology is taught through a combination of subject knowledge, skill building and design and make projects. Food technology is also taught through thematic units.

What do we learn in Design Technology?

We learn about:

Mechanisms

Sliders

Levers

Structures

Textiles

Food technology

Electronics

We also complete design technology projects in each phase for specified 'clients' e.g. the pirate, the evil genius, allowing our children the opportunity to both experiment and apply their knowledge and skills.

Adaptations

At Anston Hillcrest, our design and technology for disadvantaged children, including those with SEND is adapted to meet individual needs.

Sensory activities, such as working with various textures like fabric, wood, and clay, enhance engagement.

Visual step-by-step guides, structured templates, and collaborative projects help children explore design concepts while building confidence in problem-solving and creativity.