Key Stage 1 Design And Technology
Investigating how Hands-On Education explores DT projects

Hands-On Education’s Role in Creating D&T Resources
Design and technology within the English national curriculum are an essential part of primary education resources. The ideas within the curriculum are designed to provide a framework for the development of students' knowledge, skills and greater understanding. The English national curriculum is constantly evolving, reflecting changes in the environment, equipment and resource structures available to school teachers and parent home educators.
One of the key objectives of the national curriculum is to enable primary school aged pupils to learn skills through tools and equipment that will be useful in their future lives, including problem-solving, critical thinking, communication, and collaboration. To achieve this goal, the national curriculum of England provides a wide range of subjects and topics, including science, mathematics, English, history, geography, and many more.
At Hands-On Education, our KS1 D&T lessons provide a hands-on approach to learning that fosters creativity in young learners. Our lessons are designed to encourage school and home educated children to engage with materials and tools, experiment with different designs, and develop their problem-solving skills.
In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on the importance of teaching primary design to students about the environment and sustainability. Key stage one design and technology now includes a range of topics related to the environment, such as climate change, energy conservation, and recycling. This is essential to evaluate such topics so future generations are equipped with the knowledge and skills to tackle the environmental challenges facing the world and learn to create solutions.
To effectively teach a range of resources, ideas and tools are essential. Teachers and home educators require access to a wide range of development resources and equipment. By providing the necessary resources and support, teachers and parents can help their key stage one students to achieve their full potential and succeed in their academic and personal lives.
Flying Machines Activities and Topic
Our existing products in design and technology include a key stage one Flying Machines topic. This year two topic supports a broad range of interests and contains multiple resources. We engage lessons, worksheets and supporting videos in teaching children to explore the idea of flying machines from the Wright Brothers all the way to Neil Armstrong.
Teachers and home educators will find a range of engaging curriculum lessons looking into the simple electrical systems in early avionics all the way to modern advanced electrical systems used throughout design and technology. Year one and year two children’s minds are like sponges to engaging lessons using everyday materials they are already familiar with. One such activity is teaching children to make simple helicopters using paper clips and card.
For children to bear the fruit of their lessons it is important they understand the ideas being presented to them. Our free to watch and download videos covering key stage one and key stage two are developed with primary aged children in mind and teach technology programmes and terminology in line with their ability. All of our resources are easy to find and support the specific skills being taught in the lesson.
Building Houses Activities and Topic
Hands-On Education offer a Key Stage One: Building Houses topic aimed at young children. These lessons encourage children to explore different materials such as wooden blocks and recycling materials. They can even get creative with fruit and build a house made from food. All of these activities meet the English nation curriculum standards set out for key stage one design and technology.
The tools teachers and parents use to teach their children the basic understanding of primary DT should be fun and engaging. Put support structures in place to hone their skills and take advantage of school clubs to further their scientific knowledge. Teaching and learning do not have to be restricted to school or home educated students.
The Importance of Design and Technology in Primary School Curriculum
Design and technology (D&T) lessons have become increasingly important in primary school curriculums. These lessons are focused on teaching children how to create and design products, systems, and environments that meet their needs. By learning design and technology in schools or at home, children can develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as gain the ability to work collaboratively with others.
HandsAt Hands-On Education, our KS1 D&T lessons provide a hands-on approach to learning that fosters creativity in young learners. Our lessons are designed to encourage school and home educated children to engage with materials and tools, experiment with different designs, and develop their problem-solving skills. We believe that by providing a supportive and stimulating environment, children can reach their full potential to become confident and capable designers and creators.
If you are looking beyond KS1 Design and Technology be sure to explore more of our exclusive topics. We cover key stage one learning across the national curriculum for England in: