Rose Hill Primary School

"Design is a funny word, some people think it means how something looks, but of course, if you dig deeper,
it’s really how it works." - Steve Jobs.

At Rose Hill, our Design and Technology (D&T) curriculum inspires pupils to become creative, autonomous problem solvers and critical thinkers. D&T involves two vital elements: understanding the designed and made world, and learning to design and create functional products for real users and authentic purposes. Alongside Art, pupils utilize their dedicated sketchbooks as dynamic working tools for D&T. Here, they record initial observations, sketch iterative design ideas, annotate research, test materials, and refine concepts. By treating their sketchbook as a safe, reflective space to experiment, adapt, and learn from trial and error, pupils build essential resilience, independence, and technical confidence.

Our inclusive and ambitious curriculum is structured to progressively build skills and technical knowledge across five key strands: Structures, Mechanisms, Electrical systems, Textiles, and Cooking and nutrition. Children explore the functional properties of varied materials, components, and ingredients, learning how to select and manipulate them safely and effectively. Through rich classroom experiences, pupils consider real-world issues—such as functionality, user needs, and sustainability—while embedding essential health and safety practices throughout every stage of the design process.

Across every project, pupils engage in the full iterative cycle of exploring, designing, making, and evaluating. They begin by interrogating existing products—often disassembling them to investigate how they are constructed and how they function. Applying these insights, children use their sketchbooks to generate, develop, and communicate original ideas. They then bring their concepts to life using appropriate tools and materials, before critically evaluating their finished product against their original design criteria. Through this hands-on approach, we aim for every child to leave Rose Hill equipped to understand, adapt, and shape the designed world around them.

"If I found out how it worked, I could make it work better for me." - Joe, Year 6.