“Design is not just what it looks and feels like. Design is how it works.”

Steve Jobs

Intent

At Exhall Junior School, we want our pupils to think like designers, imaginative, practical, and ready to solve real problems. Design and Technology helps children see the connection between creativity and purpose, encouraging them to plan, build, test and refine their ideas.

We believe great design grows from curiosity and courage, two qualities we nurture through hands-on projects that challenge pupils to think critically, take risks, and learn from experience.

Implementation

Our curriculum gives pupils opportunities to explore materials, tools and techniques through purposeful projects. They design with a clear goal, test ideas, and make improvements based on reflection and feedback. Lessons link closely to other subjects such as Science, Maths, Computing and Art, helping pupils apply what they know in practical, meaningful contexts.

Teachers model key skills, encourage creative thinking, and ensure every child can contribute, whether through individual work or collaborative builds. We also enrich our curriculum with opportunities such as forest school activities, STEM projects, and design showcases, helping pupils see how design impacts real life.

Impact

By the time they leave Exhall, our pupils are resourceful, confident and independent thinkers. They can explain their design choices, understand how products are made, and appreciate how design influences the world around them. Most of all, they develop the bravery to experiment and the resilience to refine their ideas, skills that last well beyond primary school.