From designing a pop-up puppet for a puppet show  to creating a jacket potato filling persuasive enough to convince the Potato Robber to release Mr Potato Head, our Design and Technology curriculum at Cumberland is rooted in creativity, purpose, and problem solving. These engaging contexts provide meaningful opportunities for pupils to develop their knowledge and skills in line with the National Curriculum. 

In the Early Years, children demonstrate a natural enthusiasm for designing and building, particularly within ‘Adventure Time’, where construction resources and the Design Area are consistently popular. We build on these early interests as pupils move through Key Stage 1, carefully developing their understanding of designing, making, and evaluating through both classroom learning and home learning opportunities. 

Our curriculum is structured to ensure clear progression in skills and knowledge. Pupils learn to generate ideas, create simple plans, and select appropriate tools and materials to construct purposeful products. They are encouraged to test, evaluate, and refine their designs, understanding that improvement is an essential part of the design process. 

Through Design and Technology, pupils actively apply our Learning Values, including imagination, perseverance, and collaboration. They also make meaningful links to other areas of the curriculum, using mathematical knowledge such as shape and measurement, alongside reading and writing skills, to support the accuracy and functionality of their designs. 

By providing hands-on, engaging experiences, we aim to develop confident, resilient learners who can think creatively, solve problems, and take pride in the products they create