Design Technology

Design Technology at Eden Park

At Eden Park, our Design and Technology curriculum sparks creativity and innovation, offering every child the opportunity to think like a designer and bring their ideas to life. With a clear purpose and exciting, hands-on outcomes, our approach ensures that children develop essential skills for a rapidly changing world.

Our curriculum follows an annual cycle focusing on three key areas: mechanisms and mechanical structures, food and nutrition, and textiles. These areas build progressively year by year, nurturing your child's ability to design, make, evaluate, and master technical skills.

We embrace our local community to enrich learning—taking inspiration from the vibrant Brixham Fish Market and the beautiful Occombe Farm in Paignton. Purposeful links with other subjects, such as mathematics, science, art, and computing, ensure your child develops a broad, well-rounded understanding that’s both practical and inspiring.

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Design Technology in the Early Years (EYFS)

In Early Years, children would encounter Design Technology through ‘Expressive Art and Design’. Here children would have had plenty of opportunities to explore different materials and mediums through their continuous provision activities. Joining and assembling: They will use cold glue guns and tape to join and assemble materials with a purpose in mind when joining materials. Children can fold paper and card to create the desired effect e.g. paper plane. Construction: Children create complex structures becoming more imaginative in their block play and begin to create elaborate and complex designs, using their understanding of pattern, shape and balance. Children will start to use blocks to represent things that they know, that in turn enhance their play, for example a car or an animal, house or train station. Daily snack time provides a perfect opportunity to consider healthy food choices and further opportunities to learn about food and nutrition are offered throughout the year. Continuous provision provides plenty of opportunities to practise and explore joining, making, using tools and creating using different materials and evaluation is always encouraged. These foundations are built upon as children journey through Year 1 and KS1.

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Design Technology in KS1 (Years 1 and 2)

In Key Stage 1, children begin to explore the world of Design and Technology through engaging and practical enquiries that focus on mechanisms, food and nutrition, and textiles. Pupils learn to use simple tools and joining techniques to create purposeful products, such as moving mini-beasts, puppets and picnic snacks. Throughout these projects, they follow the process of designing, making and evaluating, developing their confidence and creativity. They are introduced to basic food hygiene, begin to explore healthy eating, and practise basic stitching techniques. The curriculum encourages exploration and imaginative thinking, setting a strong foundation for more complex learning in Key Stage 2.

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Design Technology in KS2 (Years 3 and 4)

In Lower Key Stage 2, pupils build on the foundational skills from KS1 by deepening their understanding of design processes and practical application. Through themed projects such as moving monsters using pneumatics, seasonal food dishes and designing functional pencil cases, children apply their knowledge in a wider range of contexts. They are introduced to new tools and techniques, such as the use of annotated sketches, accurate measurements, and more precise stitching methods like back stitch and whip stitch. Pupils begin to make links between their D&T learning and other subjects, including science (pneumatics), geography (seasonality of food), and computing (design presentations), while developing resilience and problem-solving skills.

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Design Technology in KS2 (Years 5 and 6)

Upper Key Stage 2 challenges pupils to apply their design and technology skills with increasing independence and sophistication. They tackle complex projects such as creating moving toys with cams, designing fairground rides using motors and circuits, and crafting wearable slippers that combine both function and aesthetic appeal. Pupils plan using cross-sectional diagrams and CAD software, evaluate their work critically, and consider user needs and sustainability. Cooking projects such as bread making and gourmet burgers allow them to explore food preparation, nutrition and cultural influences. Throughout, children are encouraged to take creative risks, reflect on feedback, and develop products that solve real-life problems.

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Enriching Design Technology

Design and Technology at Eden Park is enriched through strong local links and real-world learning experiences. Trips to places such as Brixham fish market and 5 Doors Up bakery bring the curriculum to life, giving children firsthand insight into how products are designed, made and used in everyday life. Pupils are encouraged to grow their own ingredients, collaborate on design challenges, and showcase their outcomes to families and the wider community. For those with a passion for the subject, the Graduation scheme offers a pathway to further explore influential designers and engineers, nurturing aspirations and broadening horizons. The curriculum also champions sustainability, ensuring children develop a strong sense of environmental responsibility in their design choices.

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