“Design is not just what it looks like and feels like. Design is how it works.”
— Steve Jobs

At Sunnyside Academy, we want our children to feel valued, inspired, and empowered through a Design and Technology curriculum that reflects their diverse backgrounds and experiences. Our aim is to provide every child, regardless of ability, culture, or and communication styles with the opportunity to develop creativity, resilience, and practical skills that will prepare them for life in an ever-changing technological world.

We teach three core units each academic year, focusing on a range of themes:

• Cooking and Nutrition
• As well as two of the following areas:
• Structures
• Mechanisms
• Electronics
• Textiles

Our curriculum is inclusive and ambitious, ensuring that all learners, including those with SEND and varied communication styles, can access and succeed. We celebrate diversity by exploring designers and innovations from different cultures and historical periods, helping children appreciate global contributions to technology and design.

Wherever possible, we make cross-curricular links to deepen understanding and provide meaningful learning experiences we aim to:

• Foster creative and imagination, encouraging children to express their unique ideas
• Develop technical and practical expertise, enabling them to produce high-quality prototypes and products
• Build critical thinking and problem-solving skills, both individually and collaboratively

By the time they leave Sunnyside Academy, our children will be confident, curious, and equipped to continue their Design and Technology journey at Key Stage 3 and beyond, ready to thrive in a diverse and innovative world.