Our DT Curriculum

At Hill View Junior Academy, we aim for children to GROW, allowing children to have the experiences of Gratitude, Resilience, Opportunity and Wonder. When Design and Technology is planned and delivered in school, these drivers are a focus. We have broadened the Design and Technology curriculum to teach a wide range of skills throughout each year group. Design and Technology provides children with a real-life context for learning, and we want our children to aspire to be more, through creating opportunities for them in the wider world. Our objective is to deliver a curriculum which inspires children and displays a range of skills used by engineers, designers, chefs and architects to enable them to create a range of structures, mechanisms, textiles, electrical systems and food products with a relevant, real-life purpose. Design and Technology allows children to work independently and collaboratively to solve problems as well as opportunities to reflect upon and evaluate current and past design technology. Children are encouraged to consider use and effect, supporting them in becoming innovators for an increasingly technological world.

“Design creates culture. Culture shapes values. Values determine the future.”

- Robert L. Peters

The National Curriculum for Design and Technology states:

Design and technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. Using creativity and imagination, pupils design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. They acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on disciplines such as mathematics, science, engineering, computing and art. Pupils learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens. Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, they develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world. High-quality design and technology education makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of the nation. 

At Hill View Junior Academy, Design and Technology is a crucial part of school life and learning. We are dedicated to the teaching and delivery of a high-quality Design and Technology curriculum. To ensure high standards we implement a curriculum that is progressive throughout the whole school. Our Design and Technology curriculum is blocked throughout the year, as part of a cross-curricular approach with other subjects. Teachers have ownership and flexibility to plan for Design and Technology as part of a creative curriculum, to allow time needed for the children to be critical, inventive and reflective on their work. We deliver well planned and resourced projects providing children with a hands-on and enriching experience. Children are taught a range of skills ensuring they are aware of health and safety issues related to the tasks undertaken. All year groups address the principles of designing, making, and evaluating and incorporate relevant technical knowledge and understanding in relevant contexts.