Design and Technology (DT)

Bardfield Academy

Meet Mrs Anderson: Subject Lead for Design & Technology

Hello, my name is Mrs Anderson and I love leading Design& Technology here at Bardfield. Design and Technology at our school is more than just making; it is a journey of discovery, resilience, and real-world problem-solving.

Why I love Design & Technology

 I believe DT is a unique space where every child—regardless of their academic starting point—can find their voice and thrive.

My Ambition for Our School

The ambitions for our Design & Technology curriculum here at Bardfield are:

  • To create a sanctuary for creativity We view the DT classroom as a “calming yet exciting” space. Our ambition is to remove the fear of failure, allowing children to experiment freely and explore ideas without restriction. In DT, there are no “mistakes,” only opportunities to refine and improve.
  • Ensure accessibility and success for every child DT is a great equaliser. For children who may find traditional written subjects challenging, DT offers a vital platform to shine. We aim to highlight diverse talents, ensuring that every pupil feels the pride of turning a mental spark into a tangible reality.
  • Developing “The Designer’s Mindset” We don’t just teach children how to use tools; we teach them how to think. By following the rigorous cycle of Designing, Making, and Evaluating, our pupils develop the grit to persevere when a mechanism sticks or a structure wobbles.

In an ever-changing world, the ability to solve problems and think creatively is essential. My vision is to foster confident, resilient learners who are not afraid to try new things. At Bardfield, we want our children to leave their DT lessons feeling inspired by their own potential and proud of the physical evidence of their hard work.

Mrs Anderson- Design & Technology Lead

Design and Technology at Bardfield

 
Our Vision
 
At our school, we aim for all pupils to thrive in Design and Technology through an ambitious and inclusive curriculum that is accessible for all. Pupils develop both substantive knowledge (what they know about materials, structures, mechanisms and nutrition) and disciplinary knowledge (how they design, make and evaluate). Through carefully sequenced learning, pupils gain the knowledge and skills needed to become confident designers and makers, capable of creating purposeful products for real users and contexts.
 
 
Our Approach
 
Our DT curriculum is structured around the process of researching, designing, making and evaluating, ensuring pupils build knowledge and skills progressively from EYFS to Year 6. Pupils are encouraged to refine and improve their ideas throughout this process, developing resilience and confidence in their work. Teaching is explicit and carefully modelled, allowing pupils to develop technical skills, use tools safely and apply their learning with increasing independence. We prioritise the teaching of subject-specific vocabulary and provide adaptive support to ensure learning is accessible for all pupils. Through a Keep Up, Catch Up approach, misconceptions are addressed quickly so that all pupils can remain confident and successful in their learning.
 
 
Our Purpose 
 
We believe Design and Technology plays a vital role in enabling pupils to thrive as creative, resilient and confident learners. DT encourages pupils to think critically, solve problems and take pride in their work. It provides opportunities for all children to succeed, particularly those who may find other areas of the curriculum more challenging. By developing both practical skills and creative thinking, we prepare pupils to become innovative individuals who are equipped for the demands of an ever-changing world.
 
In Design and Technology, every child has the opportunity to turn their ideas into something real and feel proud of what they have created.
 
 
 
To explore our progressive DT curriculum, please take a look at the Key Knowledge document below. 

Look at us learning

In the HUB we’ve been making jam sandwiches for our VE day celebrations!