At Olney Middle School, our children receive a diverse design and technology curriculum, which encourages them to exercise their creativity through designing and making. We capture children’s interests through engaging learning experiences whilst also ensuring that links are made in a cross-curricular way throughout the school. Through practical elements, the children enjoy regular opportunities to explore a wide range of tools and equipment. They develop knowledge of construction materials, textiles and ingredients, according to their functional properties and aesthetic qualities. Our children are taught to use research to inform the design of innovative, functional and appealing products that are fit for purpose when solving real and relevant problems. As the children move through the school, the progression of skills is evident in their learning and application.  Evaluation is an integral part of the design process and allows children to adapt and improve their product, which is a key skill that they need throughout their lives.