Children expand their understanding as they explore fabrics, thread, stitches and sewing machines.

In KS1, children will learn to thread their own needle and use a simple running stitch to join two pieces of fabric, use a template to mark and cut out a simple pattern and identify different types of fastenings. Then they will design, make and evaluate a finger puppet (product) for the class (user) to create a display about superheroes (purpose).

In LKS2, children will learn to identify and create running stitch, back stitch, whip stitch and slip stitch. Considering the needs of the user, the children will design, create and evaluate a sack for the Tear Thief to carry her tears in, or a bag and potentially accessories to use as a story sack for the text.

In UKS2, children will research designers such as Coco Chanel and Laura Ashley. They will unpick existing products to explore various patterns and templates. Children will then use pattern pieces to mark out and cut out a pattern, leaving a seam allowance and use a sewing machine, with supervision, to join two pieces of fabric together.

In Year 1/2, the children will explore freestanding structures. During their geography field trip, the children can explore and evaluate pre-existing furniture. Then they should design, make and evaluate a freestanding structure which may link to a key or model text in English e.g. The Paperbag Princess.

In Year 5/6, the children learn about Earnest Shackleton’s expedition to the Antarctic. Children will design and make their own ‘expedition shelters’ by exploring previously made shelters. Then they will explore various techniques to strengthen and support the frame structures.

Electrical Systems are introduced in KS2.

In Year 3/4, children will explore how circuits are used in every day items. Using their understanding of circuits in Science, they will design and create a product using their design criteria and critical thinking skills.

In Year 5/6, the children will explore pre-existing products like Don’t Buzz the Wire and Operation and use their pre-existing knowledge of circuits to create their own electronic board game. They may choose to use micro:bits to add timers, lights or sensors to make the game interactive.

Cooking and nutrition is taught every year to build upon and strengthen the children’s skills and understanding.

In KS1, children will explore various food groups and understand the benefits of eating these within their balanced diet. The children will then design and make their own pizzas, making design choices about their ingredients and where they come from.

They will also develop their understanding of the food groups, with a focus on fruits and vegetables. They will develop their cutting, chopping and grating skills and their understanding of food hygiene.

In Year 3 and 4, children will make focaccia bread. Children will taste and evaluate a range of ingredients before making the design choices for their own recipe. The children will investigate where their ingredients come from.

In addition, they will create a healthy pasta salad. The children must ensure their meal is well balanced and nutritious whilst also flavoursome. Children will develop their chopping techniques by using the bridge and claw techniques, in addition to peeling, chopping, draining and grating.

In Year 5/6, the children make a vegetable stew. The children look at how to measure ingredients and follow a simple recipe. They may choose to make design choices and add their own choices of seasoning, vegetables, stock to develop the flavour or texture within their stew.