An ambitious and inclusive Design & Technology curriculum
Powerful knowledge and technical understanding
Pupils develop secure knowledge of materials, tools, processes, nutrition, sustainability, manufacture and design. They learn how products are conceived, developed, made and evaluated, and how designers respond to the needs of users.
A carefully sequenced creative journey
Learning is carefully sequenced so that pupils develop confidence and practical competence over time. They progress from introductory experiences with tools, materials and design methods to increasingly complex projects involving research, CAD, modelling, prototyping, manufacture and evaluation.
Designing for purpose and real users
Pupils learn that effective design begins with a clear understanding of purpose and user needs. They investigate problems, identify requirements and develop practical solutions informed by research, testing and feedback.
Practical skills and safe working
Pupils learn how to use tools, machinery and specialist equipment safely and effectively. Practical skills are explicitly taught, modelled and revisited so that pupils develop increasing accuracy, control and independence.
Creativity, iteration and improvement
Pupils learn that successful products develop through an iterative process. They generate and communicate ideas, create models and prototypes, test their solutions and make informed improvements in response to evidence.
Communication and technical vocabulary
Pupils use subject-specific vocabulary to explain materials, processes, design choices and outcomes. They communicate their ideas through discussion, annotation, sketching, modelling, technical drawing and computer-aided design.
Assessment that supports improvement
Assessment is linked to the intended curriculum end points. Teachers use questioning, discussion, design work, practical activity, prototypes and completed outcomes to identify what pupils know, what they can apply and what they need to improve. Feedback helps pupils refine their ideas, improve practical accuracy and make stronger design decisions.
Ambitious and accessible for all
The curriculum is ambitious for every pupil. Teaching is carefully explained, modelled and scaffolded to remove barriers while maintaining high expectations. Practical, visual and exploratory approaches enable pupils with different starting points and needs to participate fully and succeed.
The impact of the curriculum
Over time, pupils become increasingly knowledgeable, creative, technically skilled and independent. They can investigate problems, understand user needs, communicate ideas and produce purposeful outcomes. The curriculum develops practical confidence and problem-solving while preparing pupils for further study and careers in engineering, architecture, product design, fashion, food science and the wider creative industries. [Tier 2 D&T...rview.docx | Word], [Design & T...ier 1.docx | Word]
Design & Technology curriculum by year
The summaries below set out the main areas of learning in each year, the knowledge and skills pupils will develop, and the intended curriculum end points. They also show how learning builds progressively across the Design & Technology curriculum and prepares pupils for the next stage of their education.
Year 7
Product Design and Food
What pupils will know and be able to do
- Understand the basic stages of the design process.
- Use introductory design techniques to communicate ideas.
- Select and use appropriate tools safely.
- Develop basic workshop knowledge and practical skills.
- Understand the importance of accurate measuring, marking and making.
- Apply basic hygiene and food-safety practices.
- Understand key principles of nutrition and healthy eating.
- Use basic cooking methods to prepare food safely.
How this builds on previous learning
This builds on pupils’ experiences of designing, making and preparing food during primary education.
How this prepares pupils for future learning
This establishes the practical, creative and safety foundations needed for more complex work in Product Design, Textiles and Food.
Year 8
Product Design
What pupils will know and be able to do
- Use workshop tools and machinery with increasing confidence.
- Understand how mechanisms can create and control movement.
- Explore how sustainability influences design decisions.
- Investigate the needs of users.
- Generate, communicate and refine design ideas.
- Analyse and evaluate the effectiveness of completed products.
How this builds on previous learning
This develops the introductory workshop skills, design knowledge and safe working practices established in Year 7.
How this prepares pupils for future learning
This prepares pupils for more independent work involving user research, CAD, modelling and increasingly complex manufacture.
Textiles
What pupils will know and be able to do
- Understand the properties and uses of textile materials.
- Use hand-stitching and machine-stitching techniques.
- Operate a sewing machine safely.
- Develop ideas for a textiles product.
- Apply practical techniques to make a soft toy.
- Evaluate the quality and effectiveness of a completed outcome.
How this builds on previous learning
This applies pupils’ understanding of design, materials and safe working within a new practical context.
How this prepares pupils for future learning
This prepares pupils for increasingly complex textiles projects and provides a foundation for GCSE Design & Technology through Textiles.
Year 9
Product Design, Textiles and Food
What pupils will know and be able to do
- Design purposeful products for identified users.
- Conduct user research and use findings to inform design decisions.
- Apply CAD and modelling techniques to develop ideas.
- Understand how sustainability influences Product Design and Textiles.
- Explore materials, nutrition and technical processes in greater depth.
- Develop culturally informed food knowledge and practical cooking skills.
- Test, evaluate and refine practical outcomes.
- Work with increasing accuracy, confidence and independence.
How this builds on previous learning
This brings together the design knowledge, practical skills and understanding of users developed in Years 7 and 8.
How this prepares pupils for future learning
This prepares pupils for GCSE study by deepening their knowledge of materials, nutrition, sustainability, user needs and iterative design. [Tier 2 D&T...rview.docx | Word]
Year 10
GCSE Product Design and Textiles: Technical Principles and Practical Projects
What pupils will know and be able to do
- Understand the properties and applications of a range of materials.
- Explore mechanisms, energy, sustainability and manufacturing processes.
- Apply technical knowledge through practical design projects.
- Use CAD to generate, develop and communicate ideas.
- Create models and prototypes to test possible solutions.
- Apply design thinking to tasks including a marble run and toy design.
- Begin developing ideas and skills for the GCSE non-exam assessment.
How this builds on previous learning
This builds on the practical skills, CAD experience, materials knowledge and user-centred design developed at Key Stage 3.
How this prepares pupils for future learning
This develops the technical and practical foundations required for the GCSE non-exam assessment and written examination.
GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition: Food Science and Cooking Skills
What pupils will know and be able to do
- Understand key principles of nutrition and healthy eating.
- Explore the scientific properties and functions of ingredients.
- Apply food-safety and hygiene practices.
- Understand how cultural traditions influence food choices.
- Prepare and cook a wide range of dishes.
- Use kitchen equipment safely and effectively.
- Evaluate dishes and make informed improvements.
How this builds on previous learning
This develops the nutrition, hygiene, planning and cooking knowledge established at Key Stage 3.
How this prepares pupils for future learning
This prepares pupils to complete the two GCSE non-exam assessment tasks and apply theoretical knowledge in the written examination. [Tier 2 D&T...rview.docx | Word]
Year 11
GCSE Product Design and Textiles: Non-Exam Assessment and Examination Preparation
What pupils will know and be able to do
- Investigate a real-world design context.
- Identify and research the needs of a user.
- Produce a clear design brief and specification.
- Generate and develop a range of design ideas.
- Use modelling and prototyping to test possible solutions.
- Manufacture a purposeful and functional product.
- Evaluate the completed outcome against user needs and the design specification.
- Retrieve and apply technical knowledge in preparation for the written examination.
How this builds on previous learning
This brings together pupils’ knowledge of users, materials, manufacture, CAD, modelling and evaluation.
How this prepares pupils for future learning
This demonstrates pupils’ readiness for post-16 study, apprenticeships and further technical or creative education.
The Product Design and Textiles non-exam assessment represents 50% of the GCSE qualification. [Tier 2 D&T...rview.docx | Word]
GCSE Food Preparation and Nutrition: Non-Exam Assessment and Final Examination
What pupils will know and be able to do
- Complete a scientific investigation into the properties and functions of ingredients.
- Apply food-science knowledge through practical investigation.
- Research, plan, prepare and present a three-dish menu.
- Demonstrate technical skill, organisation and safe working.
- Evaluate practical outcomes and justify decisions.
- Apply knowledge of nutrition, food science and food safety in preparation for the written examination.
How this builds on previous learning
This applies the nutrition, food-science, safety and practical cooking knowledge developed throughout the course.
How this prepares pupils for future learning
This prepares pupils for further study and pathways connected to food science, nutrition, catering, hospitality and health. [Tier 2 D&T...rview.docx | Word]
Year 12
A-Level Product Design: Advanced Design Knowledge and Practice
What pupils will know and be able to do
- Develop a deeper understanding of materials and their applications.
- Explore sustainability, manufacturing processes and design theory.
- Understand industrial production methods.
- Apply CAD and CAM to increasingly complex design tasks.
- Understand the principles of inclusive design.
- Conduct user research.
- Develop a clear and purposeful design specification.
- Begin an independent non-exam assessment project.
How this builds on previous learning
This builds on GCSE knowledge of materials, manufacture, users, sustainability, CAD and iterative design.
How this prepares pupils for future learning
This develops the technical knowledge and independent design practice required for the major A-Level project and more complex commercial design challenges. [Tier 2 D&T...rview.docx | Word]
Year 13
A-Level Product Design: Major Project and Commercial Awareness
What pupils will know and be able to do
- Complete an independent design-and-make project.
- Work with a real client to identify and respond to a design need.
- Manage a sustained project from research to final evaluation.
- Develop, model, test and refine possible solutions.
- Plan and manufacture a resolved final outcome.
- Understand commercial manufacturing processes.
- Explore enterprise, intellectual property and feasibility studies.
- Evaluate the commercial and practical viability of design decisions.
How this builds on previous learning
This brings together the technical, practical and design knowledge developed throughout the A-Level course.
How this prepares pupils for future learning
This prepares pupils for higher education, apprenticeships and careers in engineering, architecture, Product Design and the wider creative industries.
