Design Technology
At St Charles we aim to inspire children through design and technology to become independent, creative problem-solvers. Through the study of design & technology, children combine practical skills with an understanding of aesthetic, social and environmental issues, as well as functional practices. This allows them to reflect on and evaluate present and past design & technology assessing its use and impact on the world.
Design can help to improve our lives in the present. Design thinking can help us chart a path into the future.”
— Tim Brown
What Design and Technology looks like at St Charles
At St Charles, children use creativity and imagination to design and make products that solve real and relevant problems. They learn to think critically, work collaboratively, and build resilience as they explore how things work and how they can be improved.
Through hands-on projects—such as designing moving vehicles, creating healthy snacks, or building models—pupils develop skills in planning, making, testing, and evaluating. They learn to use tools and materials safely and effectively, combining knowledge from science, maths, and art to bring their ideas to life.
DT lessons encourage independence, curiosity, and innovation, helping children see themselves as the designers, engineers, and inventors of the future.
Intent
At our school, Design and Technology (DT) inspires children to use their creativity and imagination to design and make purposeful products for real-life situations. We aim to give pupils the skills to become resourceful, innovative, and reflective thinkers who are confident in solving problems. Our DT curriculum encourages links with other subjects such as science, mathematics, art, and computing, helping children understand how design affects their everyday lives and the wider world.
Implementation
DT is taught through engaging, hands-on projects that follow the design process: research, plan, make, and evaluate. Pupils explore a range of materials and tools safely, applying technical knowledge to bring their designs to life. Lessons are practical and often linked to class topics to give meaningful context.
Children work individually and collaboratively to develop their ideas, learning to test and refine their work based on feedback. Skills build progressively across the school, from simple model-making in early years to more complex mechanisms, structures, and programming projects in upper key stage 2.
Early Years
In the Early Years, children begin to explore how things are made and how they work through play and practical experiences. They use a wide range of materials and construction resources to build, join, and create, developing early problem-solving and fine motor skills. Pupils are encouraged to talk about their ideas, test them out, and make improvements along the way. Through imaginative play and hands-on exploration, children learn to design with purpose, experiment safely, and take pride in creating something of their own.
Key Stage 1
In Key Stage 1, children start to plan and make products for specific users and purposes. They learn to follow the design process—researching, designing, making, and evaluating—while using simple tools and materials safely. Projects such as making moving vehicles, designing a fruit salad, or creating a model with a purpose help pupils connect learning to real-life contexts. Through discussion and reflection, they develop an understanding of how things are designed to meet people’s needs and how their own ideas can make a difference.
Key Stage 2
In Key Stage 2, pupils deepen their knowledge of the design process by tackling increasingly complex problems. They research existing products, generate and communicate ideas in a range of ways, and apply their understanding of materials, structures, mechanics, and electrical systems. Children use tools with growing accuracy and independence, evaluating and improving their designs thoughtfully. Computing and coding are introduced through control and monitoring projects, reflecting the modern role of technology in design. By the end of KS2, pupils are confident, creative designers who can think critically, work collaboratively, and see themselves as capable innovators for the future.
Impact
By the time children leave our school, they are confident problem-solvers who can apply their technical skills and creative thinking to new challenges. They understand the design process and can communicate their ideas clearly. Pupils take pride in their work, showing perseverance, curiosity, and an appreciation for innovation.
Our DT curriculum prepares children for the practical world around them and helps them see how design and technology shape everyday life — inspiring the engineers, inventors, and makers of the future.
How You Can Help at Home
Parents and families play an important role in developing children’s creativity and problem-solving skills. You don’t need special equipment—just curiosity and everyday materials!
- Encourage making and building. Let children experiment with construction toys, recycled materials, or craft supplies to make models, structures, or inventions.
- Involve them in cooking and baking. Talk about measuring ingredients, following instructions, and making healthy choices—this builds real DT skills.
- Explore how things work. Take gadgets or packaging apart (safely!) to see how they are made, or talk about how everyday items like zips, wheels, or hinges function.
- Plan and design together. Ask children to help design a sandwich, organise their bedroom, or make a simple costume—activities that use imagination and planning skills.
- Celebrate effort and creativity. Focus on talking about what worked well and what could be improved, helping them to think like designers.
By sharing these kinds of experiences at home, you help children become confident, inventive learners who see design and technology all around them.