Design & Technology at Clanfield Junior School

At Clanfield Junior School, our Design and Technology (DT) curriculum is all about creativity, purposeful making, and problem-solving.  Our DT curriculum has been carefully designed to build skills step by step, giving pupils a strong foundation in:

 

• Mechanisms and structures (including shell structures)

• Cooking and nutrition

• Textiles

• Programming and electrical systems

Learning journeys

We follow the Hampshire HIAS DT Learning Journey, which guides children through:
Researching → Skill building → Designing and making → Evaluating

At Clanfield, children learn that great design starts with a clear purpose. Every project begins with a design brief, where pupils think carefully about who they are designing for and what their product needs to do.  They spend time talking, sharing ideas, and asking questions — learning that good design comes from great discussions. Children research their target user by carrying out surveys, interviews, and exploring existing products. This helps them make sensible, creative choices about the materials and methods they’ll use.

Most importantly, pupils learn to think like designers — explaining their ideas, testing them out, and improving them along the way so that every decision has a reason behind it.

A key feature of our approach is the focus on ongoing evaluation. Children don’t just wait until the end to assess their work — they reflect throughout the process, testing ideas, spotting what works well, and deciding how to improve. This helps them become thoughtful and resilient designers, ready to learn from mistakes and celebrate successes.

Cooking

Cooking and Nutrition is another exciting strand of our Design and Technology curriculum. Children learn where food comes from, how the seasons affect what’s available, and the difference between fresh and processed ingredients. They also develop a strong understanding of the different food groups and the importance of making balanced, healthy choices.

Some lessons have been carefully planned to include allergen-free foods, supporting our commitment to being an allergy-aware school. For example, Year 6 pupils design and make tasty “on-the-go” snacks for our tuck shop that are dairy-free and egg-free, ensuring everyone can enjoy them.

Looking ahead, we’re excited to link our cooking lessons to our new school allotments, where children will grow their own ingredients to use in future DT projects — from plot to plate! 🌱