Design and Technology – Parkhill Junior School

D&T Vision

At Parkhill Junior School, we believe that all pupils should experience rich and meaningful learning in Design and Technology, developing their capacity as agile, reflective and independent learners. Through engaging, hands‑on experiences, pupils are encouraged to think creatively and critically, applying their skills to solve problems confidently in “an increasingly technological world” (National Curriculum, 2014).

Our curriculum is designed to foster key High Performance Learning (HPL) behaviours, enabling pupils to link their learning across contexts, analyse problems thoughtfully and create purposeful solutions. Children are encouraged to be proactive and engaged, developing the confidence to take risks, adapt their ideas and persevere through challenges. They build a secure understanding of design processes and practical skills, allowing them to make products that are both functional and meaningful.

Reflection and evaluation are central to our approach. Pupils are taught to analyse their work, justify decisions and refine outcomes, demonstrating resilience and a commitment to continuous improvement. In addition, children develop essential life skills by understanding and applying the principles of nutrition and learning how to cook, encouraging independence and informed choices.

Aims of D&T
-Investigate and evaluate products against design criteria, developing skills in analysing, linking ideas and reflective thinking (Articles 2 & 3).

-Build and deepen knowledge, understanding and practical skills through focused tasks, promoting agility, perseverance and independence (Articles 17, 29 & 31).

-Design and make purposeful products and high‑quality prototypes using a range of tools, materials and components, fostering creativity, innovation and problem‑solving (Articles 23 & 32).

-Understand nutrition and develop cooking skills, supporting independence, application of knowledge and real‑world understanding (Article 28).

Design and Technology in action at Parkhill