Intent

At Leechpool, our Design and Technology curriculum is designed to foster curiosity, creativity, and practical problem-solving. Rooted in purposeful and ambitious experiences, it enables pupils to research, design, make and evaluate products in a range of relevant contexts. Our intent is to equip children with the technical knowledge and practical skills to think like designers and engineers—while also sparking a lifelong interest in how things are made, used, and improved.

From EYFS to Year 6, children are encouraged to develop resilience, take creative risks, and reflect critically on their ideas. We give deliberate space for children to explore interests, develop original thinking, and, where that spark appears, provide opportunities to deepen and follow this further.

Key themes such as food and nutrition, mechanical and electrical systems, textiles, and structures are revisited throughout the curriculum in an increasingly sophisticated way, ensuring progression in knowledge and skills. Where possible, we connect DT meaningfully to other curriculum areas including science, geography, and history, and always ensure that real-world application and purpose are at the heart of each project.

Implementation

Our DT curriculum follows a clear, sequenced long-term plan that ensures statutory coverage and progression across all year groups. Units are mapped across the year with a balance of disciplines including:

• Structures (e.g. bridges, earthquake-proof buildings)

• Mechanisms (e.g. pneumatics, cams, pulleys and gears)

• Food and Nutrition (emphasising healthy eating and seasonality)

• Textiles (with increasingly complex joining and CAD elements)

Lessons follow a cycle of research, planning, making and evaluating, with children encouraged to use technical vocabulary throughout. From EYFS, children are taught to handle tools safely, explore materials, and experiment with joining and construction methods. By Upper KS2, children use CAD, evaluate with reference to design briefs and user needs, and explore sustainability and innovation in product design.

We ensure progression through a detailed skills and knowledge progression document, and learning is enriched through discussion of diverse designers, chefs and engineers to inspire all pupils. Our use of cross-curricular links, links to our allotment produce, and a balance of individual and group projects supports inclusion and purpose.

Adaptations are made to ensure all learners can access and succeed in DT, including the use of visual supports, pre-teaching of key techniques, scaffolded design templates, and adapted tools and materials where necessary.

Impact

Children leave Leechpool with the ability to approach design challenges creatively and critically. They can articulate how products work, confidently follow a design process, and reflect on the success of their outcomes against clear criteria. They gain practical life skills such as safe tool use, cooking, and sewing, while also developing teamwork, perseverance, and pride in their creations.

Our pupils develop a deep understanding of how DT is woven into the world around them and are inspired to explore further—whether through hobby, study, or career. For some, it sparks a genuine passion for engineering, design or food technology, and our curriculum is built to support those children to follow that spark confidently and meaningfully.