How we teach Design & Technology:

At Ellen Wilkinson Primary School, we inspire children to use their creativity to research, design and make purposeful, functional and appealing products for themselves and others. Working from a clear design brief and set criteria, pupils develop the knowledge, understanding and technical skills needed to bring their ideas to life.

Our Design and Technology curriculum follows the design, make and evaluate process. Children begin by researching and designing a product before exploring and practising the practical skills required to create it. They are given opportunities to work with a range of materials, tools and techniques, developing confidence and independence as they progress. Once their product is complete, pupils evaluate it against their original design criteria, reflecting on its effectiveness and identifying ways it could be improved.

How we ensure access for all:

At Ellen Wilkinson Primary School, we believe every child can succeed in Design and Technology. We encourage all learners to achieve their very best by providing the knowledge, skills and practical experience they need to become confident designers and makers.

Lessons are carefully structured to ensure that all children can access learning through the design, making and evaluation process. Pupils are given time to develop and practise key skills before applying them independently, enabling every child to create a product they are proud of. Regular opportunities for discussion and written evaluation allow children to reflect on their learning and celebrate their achievements.

How we develop cultural capital:

We believe that cultural capital equips children with the knowledge, experiences and aspirations needed to succeed both academically and in the wider world. At Ellen Wilkinson Primary School, our curriculum provides meaningful learning opportunities that broaden pupils' understanding of design, innovation and technology.

In Design and Technology, children explore the work of significant inventors, designers and engineers from different time periods and cultures, helping them to understand how innovation has shaped the world around them.

To deepen their knowledge and develop practical skills, pupils have access to a wide range of tools, materials and resources to create purposeful products. We also celebrate Design and Technology through our termly Learning Fairs, where children showcase their work and experience projects from other year groups, inspiring creativity and curiosity across the school.

How we know your child is succeeding:

We know children are making progress in Design and Technology when they:

• Talk confidently and enthusiastically about their own work and the work of others.
• Demonstrate progression in their skills through their design work, practical outcomes and evaluations.
• Explain how effectively their product meets its intended purpose and design criteria.
• Reflect on and evaluate their own products, offering constructive feedback to improve their work.
• Critique the work of designers, inventors and their peers using appropriate vocabulary.
• Take pride in their achievements, with their work displayed and celebrated across the school and within the wider community.

How you can support your child:

You can support your child's learning in Design and Technology by:

• Encouraging them to take part in practical design activities at home, such as creating useful storage solutions or designing simple products.
• Talking about inventors, designers and engineers from Britain and around the world, and discussing how their ideas have influenced everyday life.
• Supporting Home Learning Projects that develop creativity, problem-solving and practical skills.
• Recycling household materials such as cardboard boxes, tubes and containers so your child can design and build models.
• Cooking or baking together, allowing your child to measure ingredients, follow instructions and evaluate the finished product.
• Exploring simple textiles by weaving with paper, wool or string to develop fine motor skills and creativity.

Useful websites: 

https://www.vam.ac.uk/young/visit 

https://designmuseum.org/whats-on/families-and-young-people/explorer-trail 

Subject Leader 
Sudha Sreedharan
artanddt@ellenwilkinson.newham.sch.uk