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    • Design Technology

    Design & Technology (DT) at Cribden House is a practical, creative and purposeful subject that teaches pupils how to design, make and evaluate products that solve real problems. The curriculum builds curiosity, imagination and resilience, helping children understand how the designed world works and how everyday objects are created. Across all pathways, pupils explore tools, materials and techniques safely while developing independence, confidence and practical life skills.

    Being Pathway

    On the Being Pathway, DT sits within Expressive Art and Design and Understanding the World in the Being Curriculum. Learning is sensory, playful and exploratory, providing a foundation for future designing and making.

    Children explore textures, shapes, joining materials, and simple tools through practical experiences such as building, printing, sticking, moulding and mark-making. Adults model language and support children to choose resources, explore how materials behave, and try new ideas. Creativity is encouraged through hands-on investigation rather than finished products—every small step, from intentional mark-making to simple construction, is celebrated.

    Learning takes place indoors and outdoors using a wide range of sensory materials. Progress is recorded on Tapestry and assessed through the Being Curriculum, with achievements linked closely to EHCP outcomes and developmental next steps.

    Doing Pathway

    On the Doing Pathway, DT is taught through the Expressive Arts strand of the Doing Curriculum. Learning is functional, hands-on and highly practical, giving pupils opportunities to design, make and evaluate with purpose.

    Through meaningful topics such as “Buildings,” “Animals,” “Homes,” “People Who Help Us,” “Transport,” and “Out & About,” children explore real tools and materials and develop early problem-solving skills. Pupils learn to:

    • plan ideas using photos, symbols or models

    • cut, join, shape and finish materials safely

    • make simple structures and mechanisms

    • evaluate what has worked well or what could be improved

    DT also supports key life skills, including food technology, healthy eating, preparing simple dishes and using equipment safely. Learning is sequenced across the Doing Curriculum ranges so that every small step is recognised—from exploring a tool for the first time to creating a simple finished product.

    Progress is captured through photos, videos, observations and Tapestry, with success linked to independence, communication and practical outcomes.

    Thinking Pathway

    On the Thinking Pathway, DT is taught as a subject-specific part of a two-year thematic cycle, aligned with National Curriculum expectations. Pupils follow a progression of skills across designing, making, evaluating and technical knowledge.

    Children learn to:

    • develop purposeful designs using sketches, prototypes or digital tools

    • select materials thoughtfully and use tools accurately

    • build structures, mechanisms and simple electrical systems

    • prepare and cook savoury dishes

    • understand nutrition, seasonality and how food is grown

    Projects are linked to exciting themes such as Fire, Fire!, The Iron Man, Sparks Might Fly! or Inventors & Inventions, ensuring learning feels purposeful and real. Pupils explore the work of other designers, practise problem-solving and reflect on how to improve their products. Assessment includes class discussion, practical work, sketchbooks, photographs and annotated designs.

    Across all three pathways, Design & Technology at Cribden House:

    • promotes creativity, resilience and independent thinking

    • develops practical life skills through meaningful tasks

    • supports communication through choice-making, planning and evaluation

    • encourages problem-solving and real-world application

    • celebrates every stage of designing, making and experimenting

    DT helps pupils understand how things are made and why they are designed the way they are. It builds confidence, independence and imagination, empowering children to become curious, capable and creative learners.

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