Lesson 1: Design a new playground
Designing five pieces of playground apparatus using three different structures.New statutory RSHE guidance is here. We’re creating our brand new RSE & PSHE scheme ready for September 2026. Learn more
Learning objective
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Success criteria
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Before the lesson
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Lesson plan
Before starting this unit, check that the children can recall:
A structure is formed or made from parts and a free-standing structure can stand independently.
Cladding can be applied to structures for different effects.
A product’s function means its purpose.
Triangles can be used to reinforce joints.
Properties describe the form and function of materials, and material selection is important based on their properties.
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Example work
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After 4 years of being a TV and radio presenter, Vicki headed to the secondary classroom where she spent 12 years teaching Design and Technology as well as PE. Working as a subject leader, she ran D&T tournaments and weekly clubs to get her students involved while also building stronger links with feeder schools to understand how these skills were developed in younger children. This inspired her to move to the prep school, where she has spent the last 4 years. She loves creating engaging lessons and projects for her pupils as well as running a baking club and school-wide ECO projects.
Vicki has created a topic on Structures in Design & Technology and her free lesson features ‘Making a Baby Bear’s Chair’ for KS1 pupils.
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