Through a variety of creative and practical activities, pupils should be taught the knowledge, understanding and skills needed to engage in an iterative process of designing and making. They should work in a range of relevant contexts [for example, the home, school, leisure, culture, enterprise, industry and the wider environment].

Pupils should be taught to:

Design:

♦ use research and develop design criteria to inform the design of innovative, functional, appealing products that are fit for purpose, aimed at particular individuals or groups
♦ generate, develop, model and communicate their ideas through discussion, annotated sketches, cross-sectional and exploded diagrams, prototypes, pattern pieces and computer-aided design

Make:

♦ select from and use a wider range of tools and equipment to perform practical tasks [for example, cutting, shaping, joining and finishing], accurately
♦ select from and use a wider range of materials and components, including construction materials, textiles and ingredients, according to their functional properties and aesthetic qualities

Evaluate:

♦ investigate and analyse a range of existing products
♦ evaluate their ideas and products against their own design criteria and consider the views of others to improve their work
♦ understand how key events and individuals in design and technology have helped shape the world

Technical Knowledge:

♦ apply their understanding of how to strengthen, stiffen and reinforce more complex structures
♦ understand and use mechanical systems in their products [for example, gears, pulleys, cams, levers and linkages]
♦  understand and use electrical systems in their products [for example, series circuits incorporating switches, bulbs, buzzers and motors]
♦ apply their understanding of computing to program, monitor and control their products.

Cooking and Nutrition

Pupils should be taught to:

♦ understand and apply the principles of a healthy and varied diet
♦ prepare and cook a variety of predominantly savoury dishes using a range of cooking techniques
♦ understand seasonality, and know where and how a variety of ingredients are grown, reared, caught and processed.