2026 Mixed-age

Full curriculum coverage for mixed-age Design and technology, developing pupils’ skills and knowledge across key areas such as Mechanisms, Structures, Cooking and nutrition and Textiles in Key stage 1, with Mechanical systems, Electrical systems and the Digital world introduced in Key stage 2.

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How it works

The mixed-age units follow a Cycle A and Cycle B format, supporting progression of skills across the age range.

Units can be taught in any order within the year group as progression is built on knowledge from previous years rather than between units.

Year 1/2
Cycle A
Cycle B
Design and technology
Mechanisms: Matching slider game
(5 lessons)
Exploring different types of mechanisms used in products, with a focus on how sliding mechanisms create movement. Pupils…
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Design and technology
Structures: Stable structures
(5 lessons)
Investigating stable shapes and using an understanding of balance to discover how wide or heavy bases improve stability…
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New!
Design and technology
Textiles: Simple stitches
(5 lessons)
Examining fabrics, practising basic sewing techniques and identifying how different materials are made from threads. Pupils learn how…
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Design and technology
Cooking and nutrition: Smoothies
(6 lessons)
Examining and taste-testing different fruits and vegetables to identify and compare ingredients. Pupils select ingredients for a smoothie…
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New!
Design and technology
Mechanisms: Wheels and axles
(5 lessons)
Developing an understanding of how wheels, axles and axle holders work while practising cutting straight and curved shapes…
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New!
Design and technology
Structures: A chair for a bear
(5 lessons)
Investigating strong shapes and the properties of stiff and flexible materials by designing a chair inspired by the…
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New!
Design and technology
Structures: A chair for a bear
(5 lessons)
Investigating strong shapes and the properties of stiff and flexible materials by designing a chair inspired by the…
View unit
New!
Design and technology
Structures: A chair for a bear
(5 lessons)
Investigating strong shapes and the properties of stiff and flexible materials by designing a chair inspired by the…
View unit
New!
Design and technology
Structures: A chair for a bear
(5 lessons)
Investigating strong shapes and the properties of stiff and flexible materials by designing a chair inspired by the…
View unit
New!
Design and technology
Structures: A chair for a bear
(5 lessons)
Investigating strong shapes and the properties of stiff and flexible materials by designing a chair inspired by the…
View unit
Year 3/4
Cycle A
Cycle B
New!
Design and technology
Structures: Product packaging
(5 lessons)
Exploring how 3D shell structures are created from nets and used in packaging, pupils evaluate what makes good…
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Design and technology
Digital world: Wearable technology
(5 lessons)
Exploring the development of LEDs and how they have enabled a wide range of light-up wearable technologies. Pupils…
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Design and technology
Textiles: Egyptian collars
(4 lessons)
Developing sewing and decorative textile skills using cross-stitch and appliqué techniques. Pupils apply their understanding to design, decorate…
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Design and technology
Cooking and nutrition: Eating seasonally
(6 lessons)
Discovering where and when fruit and vegetables are grown by learning about seasonality in the UK. Pupils respond…
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Design and technology
Mechanical systems: Pneumatic toys
(5 lessons)
Investigating how compressed air can create movement within a mechanism and be used in a working pneumatic toy.…
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Design and technology
Electrical systems: Exploring electrical products
(5 lessons)
Investigating electrical components and circuits and how they are used in everyday products to improve safety and convenience.…
View unit
Design and technology
Electrical systems: Exploring electrical products
(5 lessons)
Investigating electrical components and circuits and how they are used in everyday products to improve safety and convenience.…
View unit
Design and technology
Electrical systems: Exploring electrical products
(5 lessons)
Investigating electrical components and circuits and how they are used in everyday products to improve safety and convenience.…
View unit
Design and technology
Electrical systems: Exploring electrical products
(5 lessons)
Investigating electrical components and circuits and how they are used in everyday products to improve safety and convenience.…
View unit
Design and technology
Electrical systems: Exploring electrical products
(5 lessons)
Investigating electrical components and circuits and how they are used in everyday products to improve safety and convenience.…
View unit
Year 5/6
Cycle A
Cycle B
Design and technology
Electrical systems: Wobble bots
(5 lessons)
Building on existing knowledge of circuits by introducing motors and exploring how they create movement in products. Pupils…
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Design and technology
Digital world: Monitoring devices
(4 lessons)
Exploring programmable technology and 3D design by creating a Micro:bit animal monitoring device that responds to temperature changes.…
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Design and technology
Mechanical systems: Gears and pulleys
(5 lessons)
Investigating the history, mechanics and uses of gears and pulleys. Pupils build a gear-and-pulley mechanism before applying their…
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Design and technology
Textiles: Stuffed toys
(4 lessons)
Developing textile and sewing skills by designing and making a stuffed toy using fabric and decorative techniques. Pupils…
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Design and technology
Cooking and nutrition: Developing a recipe
(6 lessons)
Considering how recipes can be adapted to improve nutritional value by modifying a traditional Bolognese sauce. Pupils cook…
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Updated
Design and technology
Digital world: Navigating the world
(5 lessons)
Designing a product and programming it to function as a compass and a pedometer.
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Updated
Design and technology
Digital world: Navigating the world
(5 lessons)
Designing a product and programming it to function as a compass and a pedometer.
View unit
Updated
Design and technology
Digital world: Navigating the world
(5 lessons)
Designing a product and programming it to function as a compass and a pedometer.
View unit
Updated
Design and technology
Digital world: Navigating the world
(5 lessons)
Designing a product and programming it to function as a compass and a pedometer.
View unit
Updated
Design and technology
Digital world: Navigating the world
(5 lessons)
Designing a product and programming it to function as a compass and a pedometer.
View unit

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Design and technology : Curriculum guide for parents and carers — mixed-age (Cycle A)

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Design and technology: Curriculum guide for parents and carers — mixed-age (Cycle B)

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