🛠️ "Design is not just what it looks and feels like. Design is how it works."

— Steve Jobs

🎨 Design & Technology at High Halden Primary School

At High Halden, our Design and Technology curriculum prepares children to solve real-world problems creatively and confidently. Through hands-on experiences, they learn to design, make and evaluate purposeful products that respond to needs in a world that is constantly evolving.

DT encourages pupils to be:

• 💡 Independent thinkers

• 🧩 Creative problem solvers

• 🤝 Collaborative team members

• 🌍 Socially and environmentally aware designers

By combining practical skills with an understanding of function, aesthetics, sustainability and innovation, children develop the confidence to tackle real design challenges — now and in the future.

🔄 The Design–Make–Evaluate Cycle

Our DT curriculum follows the structured Design, Make, Evaluate model, which is embedded across all phases of the school:

🧒 Early Years & Key Stage 1

• 🌱 Design rooted in real-life contexts to give learning meaning

• 🧰 Exploration of materials, tools, and components with adult guidance

• 📝 Children design, construct, and evaluate their work using shared success criteria

• ✂️ Projects focus on building basic practical skills and safe tool use

👦👧 Key Stage 2

• 🧠 Pupils apply and deepen the knowledge gained in Key Stage 1

• ✏️ Use of annotated sketches, prototypes, and diagrams to plan designs

• 🛠️ Access to a broader range of tools, textiles, equipment and ingredients

• 🧪 Pupils test, critique and refine their designs and evaluate the work of others

• 🎯 Strong emphasis on functionality, purpose and visual appeal

🎉 Enhancing DT Through Enrichment

We believe in giving children a taste of the real design world through exciting enrichment opportunities:

• 👩‍🍳 Cookery sessions exploring nutrition, taste, and food preparation

• 🧪 STEM projects that combine science, tech, and engineering

• 🏗️ Career insight days with visits from professionals in design, architecture, and product development

These special theme days boost the profile of DT across the school and inspire children to see how their skills can be applied in real careers and industries.

🌟 Designing the Future

Design and Technology at High Halden is about much more than making things. It’s about thinking critically, designing with purpose, and building the confidence to create. Whether it’s a simple structure or a complex system, every project encourages our pupils to innovate, evaluate and improve.