Design and Technology

At Woodloes Primary School, design and technology is delivered through the Cornerstones Curriculum, providing a coherent and well-sequenced programme that progressively develops pupils’ designing, planning, making and evaluating skills from Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 2. Learning is structured around the key strands of structures, mechanisms, cooking and nutrition, and textiles, ensuring pupils revisit and build upon knowledge and practical skills as they move through the school.

In Key Stage 1, pupils are introduced to fundamental concepts through hands-on projects that develop early technical skills, such as constructing simple structures, exploring basic mechanisms, and preparing food safely. As pupils progress into Key Stage 2, they deepen their understanding by working with a wider range of tools, materials and techniques, including strengthening structures, creating moving mechanisms, sewing with greater precision, and designing and preparing healthy, balanced meals.

Across the curriculum, pupils engage in purposeful, practical tasks that support the iterative design process, allowing them to design, make, test and evaluate products against clear design criteria. Strong links are made with other subjects, particularly science and geography, enabling pupils to apply their learning in meaningful, real-life contexts. Safety and hygiene are prioritised throughout all projects. This approach ensures full coverage of the National Curriculum while providing engaging, high-quality design and technology learning for pupils at Woodloes Primary School