Design and Technology at Lingham encourages children to become innovative thinkers and problem solvers. Pupils learn to identify real-life needs, generate ideas, test them, and refine their solutions. This iterative process builds resilience, independence, and critical thinking — key life and learning skills.

Our DT curriculum connects classroom learning to real, tangible contexts. Pupils design and make products that serve a clear purpose — from healthy snacks to moving vehicles or shelters. They see how design impacts everyday life and understand how products are developed to meet human needs.

Children learn how to safely use a range of tools, materials, and components (including digital technology). These experiences build coordination, spatial awareness, and confidence in handling equipment — laying foundations for future STEM learning and technical careers.

Design projects often involve teamwork — sharing ideas, listening to others, and making group decisions. Through this, pupils learn negotiation, communication, and cooperation, mirroring the collaborative nature of real-world design.

DT nurtures imagination and creativity but also purposeful innovation. Pupils learn to design with users in mind, to evaluate and improve their ideas, and to consider the sustainability, functionality, and aesthetic of their designs — all skills valued in modern industry and society.

Through focused practical tasks, pupils gain knowledge about:

• Structures, mechanisms, and electrical systems

• Textiles and food technology

• Digital design and control (in upper KS2). They learn how things work and how different materials and processes can be used to solve problems.

Food technology units teach children about nutrition, cooking, and hygiene — vital for lifelong health. DT also offers opportunities to explore sustainability and environmental responsibility, encouraging pupils to design with care for people and the planet.