The national curriculum for design and technology aims to ensure that all pupils: 

• develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world
•  build and apply a repertoire of knowledge, understanding and skills in order to design and make high-quality prototypes and products for a wide range of users
•  critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products and the work of others

KS1 

Technical knowledge

• build structures, exploring how they can be made stronger, stiffer and more stable
• explore and use mechanisms [for example, levers, sliders, wheels and axles], in their products.

KS2

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.

Year 1

See Saw (levers)

Explore and use mechanisms (focus on levers) in their products.

Local area- Park visit

Year 2

Moving Models (wheels and axles)

(Trolley vehicle)

Explore and use mechanisms [focus on wheels and axles], in their products.

Year 3

Light up Sign (electrical circuit)

Understand and use electrical systems in their products [focus on series circuits incorporating switches & bulbs]

Year 4

Water Cycle (Cams toy)

Understand and use mechanical systems in their products [focus on, cams and levers]

Year 5

Bridges (gears and pulleys)

Understand and use mechanical systems in their products [focus gears and pulleys]

Local area- canal visit

Year 6

Security Light (computer programme to control and monitor)

Apply their understanding of computing to program, monitor and control their products.