At Weald, our Design & Technology (D&T) curriculum is rooted in the National Curriculum for England, which describes D&T as “an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject” where pupils “use creativity and imagination” to design and make products that solve “real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts.”

We believe strongly in the iterative nature of D&T. The National Curriculum states that pupils should “engage in an iterative process of designing and making”—a process that naturally involves trial and error, revisiting ideas, refining prototypes, and learning from mistakes. This approach is at the heart of our teaching at Weald, where children are encouraged to test, adapt, and reflect as part of their creative journey.

The curriculum also highlights the importance of pupils learning to “take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens.” We view these qualities as essential character skills. Through collaborative problem-solving, resilience when facing challenges, responsibility in handling tools and materials, and perseverance through the trial and error process, children develop personal strengths that extend far beyond the D&T classroom.

Our pupils engage purposefully in designing and making, supported by the statutory expectation that they “critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products and the work of others.” This cultivates reflective thinking, open-mindedness, and a commitment to continuous improvement—character traits we nurture across the curriculum. 

At Weald, D&T is not just about creating products; it is about shaping learners who are confident problem-solvers, thoughtful innovators, and resilient thinkers. By embracing the trial and error process and actively applying their character skills, our children grow into adaptive designers who understand that challenges are opportunities for learning.