Refreshed scheme (2026)

Gears and pulleys

Investigating the history, mechanics and uses of gears and pulleys.

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  1. Subjects >
  2. Design and technology >
  3. Key stage 2 >
  4. Year 5 >
  5. Mechanical systems: Gears and pulleys

Unit outcomes

Pupils who are secure will be able to:

  • Give examples of machines that use gears and/or pulleys.
  • Describe how gears and pulleys work and their purpose.
  • Design and make a gear and pulley system.
  • Write a problem statement.
  • Write questions for market research, provide feedback and research market competitors.
  • Write and use a design brief to guide design.
  • Evaluate a product against a set of design criteria, provide useful feedback and incorporate changes.
  • Draw and annotate an eco-gadget bike design.

Suggested prior learning

Mechanical systems: Mechanical cars

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Lessons

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Lesson 1: Gears

  • To create a working gear system and explain its function.

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Lesson 2: Improving your gear design

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Lesson 3: Pulleys

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Lesson 4: Eco-gadget bike project: Market research

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Lesson 5: Eco-gadget bike project: Design

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Key skills

Design

  • Noticing wider-reaching
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Key knowledge

To know:

  • Mechanical systems that
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Key vocabulary

annotate

axle

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Equipment list

Equipment needed across all lessons in this unit.

This list does not include equipment which is usually readily available in the classroom (e.g pencils, A4 paper etc)

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Full equipment list for the subject

Quantities marked × will update. Items without quantities are unaffected

  • Balls ×1
  • Sticky notes

  • Devices to record on

         ×15
  • Devices with internet access ×15
  • A5 thick card ×30
  • Single-faced corrugated card ×30
  • Double-faced corrugated card ×30
  • A selection of Extra-long split pins
  • A selection of Normal-length split pins
  • Modelling dough ×30
  • A selection of Sticky tack
  • A selection of Paper clips
  • A selection of Thumb tacks
  • A selection of Toothpicks

  • Heavy books

         ×8
  • Masking tape ×1
  • Glue sticks ×30
  • Hot glue gun Adult supervision required - hot surface. ×1
  • Quick-drying pva glue ×1
  • Scissors right- and left-handed options recommended. ×30
  • Thread ×30

  • Plastic sewing machine bobbins.

         ×30
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Related content

    Resources

Unit resources

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Design and technology

Knowledge organiser: D&T – Y5 Gears and pulleys

Aimed at pupils, two pages providing key facts and definitions from the unit 'Option 1: *New* Gears and pulleys.'.

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Design and technology

Vocabulary display: Gears and pulleys

A display version of the key vocabulary from the Gears and pulleys unit.

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Subject resources

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Cross-curricular opportunities

Science: Forces.

Geography: Human and physical geography.

British values: Mutual respect.

Build on the learning

Mechanical systems: Automata toys

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