Design Technology

At The Linden Academy, Design and Technology is an inspiring and practical subject where pupils learn to design and make purposeful products for real users. Through our carefully structured curriculum, pupils develop creativity, technical knowledge, and problem-solving skills.

Our curriculum is organised into three key areas: cook, sew, and build. Across these areas, pupils develop both practical skills (procedural knowledge) and key concepts (declarative knowledge), which are revisited and built upon over time. Themes such as sustainability, innovation, and enterprise are interwoven throughout, helping pupils understand the wider impact of design on society and the environment.

Learning follows a clear design process:
research → design → make → evaluate. Pupils explore existing products, develop their own ideas, and evaluate their work against design criteria.

Progression

• Key Stage One: Pupils learn basic skills, use simple tools safely, and begin to understand materials, structures, and healthy eating.
• Lower Key Stage Two: Pupils develop greater accuracy, use annotated designs, and make more informed choices about materials and techniques.
• Upper Key Stage Two: Pupils work more independently, designing for real users, creating more complex products, and evaluating their work critically.

By the end of Year 6, pupils are confident designers who can apply their knowledge and skills to create high-quality products with a clear purpose.