Intent
At East Acton, our Design and Technology curriculum inspires pupils to become creative thinkers, problem-solvers and innovators. As a Rights Respecting School, we promote equality, creativity and participation, ensuring all children have opportunities to design, create and express their ideas (Articles 2, 13, 29, 31).

Through a broad range of practical experiences, pupils learn to design and make functional, purposeful products for real users. They are encouraged to identify real-life problems, evaluate existing products and develop innovative solutions through a clear design process. Pupils reflect on and refine their ideas, developing resilience and critical thinking skills.

Our curriculum also promotes an understanding of health, nutrition and sustainability. Pupils learn where food comes from, how it is grown and how to prepare healthy, balanced meals, supporting their wellbeing and encouraging responsible choices.

We aim to equip pupils with the knowledge, skills and vocabulary needed to understand how design and technology has shaped the world, inspiring them to become the next generation of designers, engineers and innovators.

Implementation
The Design and Technology curriculum is carefully sequenced to ensure progression in knowledge and skills from EYFS to KS2. Learning is built around revisiting and developing key skills, enabling pupils to deepen their understanding over time.

Teaching is structured around a clear design process, underpinned by key principles: user, purpose, functionality, design decisions, innovation and authenticity.

The design process includes:

• Exploring and evaluating existing products
• Identifying users and their needs
• Designing and annotating ideas
• Selecting materials and tools
• Making and adapting products
• Testing and evaluating against design criteria

Pupils engage in hands-on, practical learning, developing skills in designing, making and evaluating. They are encouraged to take risks, solve problems and adapt their designs, building resilience and independence (Article 13).

Cooking and nutrition form an important part of the curriculum. Pupils gain first-hand experience of growing, harvesting and preparing food, developing an understanding of healthy lifestyles and sustainability.

Subject-specific vocabulary is explicitly taught and revisited, enabling pupils to articulate their ideas and reflect on their work effectively. Teaching is inclusive and adaptive, ensuring all pupils can access and succeed.

Impact
Our Design and Technology curriculum develops confident, innovative and reflective learners who can apply their skills to real-life situations. Pupils are able to design and create functional products that meet specific criteria, demonstrating creativity and practical understanding.

Children develop a strong understanding of how design and technology impacts everyday life and the wider world. They are able to evaluate their work and the work of others, using appropriate vocabulary and demonstrating critical thinking (Article 29).

Pupils gain valuable life skills, including the ability to prepare healthy meals, understand nutrition and use a range of tools safely and effectively. They develop independence, resilience and problem-solving skills that prepare them for future learning and life beyond school.

By the end of KS2, pupils are confident in the design process and understand the importance of innovation, sustainability and user needs. They leave East Acton equipped with the creativity, skills and knowledge to participate fully in a rapidly changing world (Articles 13, 31).