Early Years Foundation Stage 

In EYFS, DT is delivered through continuous provision and carefully planned adult-led activities, forming part of Expressive Arts and Design and Physical Development.

Children:

• Explore, select and use a variety of materials and tools
• Begin to design with a purpose, through play and exploration
• Develop fine motor control needed for cutting, joining and shaping
• Talk about what they are making, developing early technical vocabulary

Adults model language such as build, join, fix, design and encourage children to evaluate informally through discussion.

Cooking opportunities introduce children to healthy food choices and basic preparation skills.

Key Stage One

In KS1, learning is structured and sequenced to build on EYFS foundations. Pupils follow the design, make, evaluate process in each unit.

The curriculum is organised into key areas:

• Structures – understanding stability and strength
• Mechanisms – exploring sliders, levers and simple movement
• Textiles – joining fabrics using simple stitching techniques
• Cooking and Nutrition – understanding healthy eating and preparing food

Teachers:

• Provide clear modelling and step-by-step instruction
• Use subject-specific vocabulary (e.g. stable, mechanism, evaluate, design criteria)
• Plan opportunities for pupils to practise and apply skills over time
• Encourage children to think critically about their designs and outcomes

Learning is often cross-curricular, allowing pupils to apply skills in meaningful contexts.

Sequencing and Progression

The DT curriculum is carefully sequenced to ensure:

• Skills are built cumulatively from EYFS to KS1
• Pupils revisit key concepts in different contexts
• Increasing independence in the design process
• Development from exploration → structured designing → purposeful evaluation

Vocabulary

Vocabulary is introduced, modelled and revisited to support understanding and communication.

Assessment

Assessment is ongoing and formative, based on:

• Observation of practical skills
• Discussions with pupils about their designs
• Evaluation of finished products

Teachers use assessment to:

• Identify gaps in knowledge and skills
• Adapt teaching to support all learners
• Ensure progression across the curriculum

Impact

By the end of KS1, pupils at Rosehill Infant School will:

• Demonstrate secure knowledge of key DT concepts
• Be able to design, make and evaluate a range of products
• Use tools and materials safely and effectively
• Apply technical vocabulary confidently
• Show creativity, independence and resilience
• Understand basic principles of healthy eating

At Rosehill Infant School we use the following documents to support the delivery of the Design and Technology-

• Rosehill Infant School Curriculum Coverage and progression of knowledge and skills in Design and Technology from Nursery to Year 2 – this details the Design and Technology journey from Nursery to Year 2.
• Rosehill Infant School Design and Technology Yearly Overview and Medium Term Plans – these detail the topics covered over the year, and the Design and Technology activities the children carry out.