It is our vision for Design Technology at Doxey Academy to build a curriculum that is practical and creative and encourages pupils to use their imagination to shine through their talents. It will link strongly to developing the ‘whole child’ and our personal development curriculum, where we believe the design technology curriculum will be set in meaningful contexts that are purposeful and support the children in gaining lifelong skills that will support them in our rapidly changing society.  

It will also build on the learning that has taken place in other subjects more prominent in science, maths, art and computing to support pupils in making strong links and for making their learning real. Pupils will be given opportunities to take risks, to solve problems and to use the experiences of other designers to support them in the design process and attempt challenges. Pupils will have opportunities to build on this as a valuable team player and also individually through developing strong communication skills with others and also their reflection and resilient in tasks.  

We will strive towards a knowledge and skill rich curriculum where pupils revisit and build on their previous learning and continue their learning journey to become future designers who will succeed in the modern world. At the same time Design Technology will promote a love of learning; share passion; enjoyment and fun for the subject to encourage pupils to be motivated to continue their learning in the next stage of their education and their future aspirations.  

Links to Personal Development

Design & Technology gives children a sense of pride and boosts self-esteem when they complete a project. Creating something unique instils a sense of independence and responsibility all contributing to their mental wellbeing and developing their character. D&T encourages children to think creatively and find innovative solutions to problems, which fosters confidence in their ability to tackle challenges. Through designing and making projects, children learn to express their ideas and turn abstract thoughts into tangible creations. The nutrition units covered in the D&T curriculum teach pupils how to have a healthy lifestyle and working with a variety of tools throughout the different units teaches pupils to use equipment safely now and in their future lives.

Many D&T tasks are collaborative, teaching children how to work effectively in teams, share responsibilities, and respect others’ ideas. Explaining designs and receiving feedback enhances their ability to articulate thoughts and engage in constructive dialogue. When projects don’t go as planned, children learn to assess what went wrong, adapt, and try again, building resilience and a growth mindset. The process of designing and making rewards persistence and dedication, reinforcing the value of effort over immediate success. These are all key skills which add to a child’s character development.

Learning in Design & Technology shows how skills from maths, science, and art can be applied to solve real-world problems. It introduces concepts and roles in engineering, design, and technology, broadening their horizons for future aspirations.

Each unit in our D&T curriculum includes great designers which inspire our pupils to dream big and think about their future careers and how it could be in the world of design or technology. We plan relevant trips to enhance their learning in D&T (bridge building).