DT at Lainesmead

Design and Technology (DT) is all around us — shaping the way we live, work, and play. At Lainesmead Primary and Nursery School, we believe it’s essential for children to explore, understand, and contribute to the world of design and innovation that surrounds them.

Through DT, learners learn how to think creatively and solve real-life problems by designing and making purposeful, functional products. The subject draws on a wide range of skills and knowledge from across the curriculum, including Mathematics, English, Science, Computing, Engineering, PSHE, and Art.

Our aim is for every learner to become a confident designer and maker — curious, resourceful, and proud of what they create.

Learning Opportunities in Design and Technology

Design and Technology is organised into three main areas:

1. Investigative, Disassembly and Evaluative Activities (IDEAs)
These activities allow learners to explore and analyse existing products. Through this, they develop the skills, knowledge and understanding that can later be applied in their own design and make projects. When appropriate, they may take apart products to study how they are constructed, deepening their understanding of the making process. Evaluation is an ongoing part of this work, encouraging learners to reflect on what they discover and make improvements along the way.

2. Focused Practical Tasks (FPTs)
Focused practical tasks enable learners to practise and refine specific skills and techniques relevant to their designs — for example, testing materials for suitability or exploring different methods of joining components. These tasks prepare learners for their Design and Make Assignments (DMAs) by allowing them to investigate and master key skills in advance.

3. Design and Make Assignments (DMAs)
In these projects, learners bring together everything they have learned to design and create products that meet real-life needs. This is where creativity, problem-solving and practical abilities combine in purposeful, hands-on learning. All products have a clear purpose and link to a wider project. For example, in Year 5, learners design and make a night light for a child’s bedroom in the form of a lighthouse, connecting their DT learning to their wider topic theme.

Cooking and Nutrition

Food-based design and make assignments take place throughout the school as part of our Design and Technology curriculum.

To further develop children’s knowledge and understanding of food, learners in Year 4 and Year 6 take part in a series of structured cooking lessons. During these sessions, they learn essential food hygiene, preparation, and finishing skills. Each lesson focuses on the function of ingredients and how they can be adapted to design and create an edible product. For example, learners might replace sugar with a natural sweetener to make a healthier version of a recipe.

Throughout the sessions, learners observe a live demonstration before following a written method, promoting independence, accuracy, and confidence in the making process.