Design Technology
At Eden Park, Design and Technology isn’t just a subject—it’s a chance for your child to imagine, create, and thrive.
ABOUT THIS CURRICULUM
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.
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.
KS1 and KS2
Design and Technology at Eden Park: Inspiring Young Designers
At Eden Park, our Design and Technology curriculum is designed to spark creativity and develop essential skills in every child. From the moment children begin their journey in Key Stage 1 (KS1) and continue through Key Stage 2 (KS2), they embark on an exciting learning adventure that progresses through distinct ‘voices’ of Design and Technology: Design, Make, Evaluate, and Technical Skills. These ‘voices’ are carefully woven into our curriculum, building upon prior knowledge and ensuring steady and meaningful progression.
Each year, your child will have the opportunity to explore three key areas: Mechanisms and Mechanical Structures, Cooking and Nutrition, and Textiles. Every learning experience is a hands-on, exciting opportunity for children to imagine, design, and create, developing their confidence and skill with each new challenge.
Mechanisms and Mechanical Structures
From making moving monsters and emergency vehicles to creating interactive storybooks and coding fairground rides with crumble kits, your child will delve into the fascinating world of mechanics. They'll learn how to bring their designs to life using lights, movement, and technology.
Cooking and Nutrition
In our Cooking and Nutrition sessions, children learn about seasonal fruits and vegetables, engage with local experts to understand how to prepare fish, and experiment with baking different types of bread. They'll even design and make their own nutritious burgers. These experiences help children build a strong foundation in healthy eating and practical cooking skills.
Textiles
With textiles, your child will discover the joy of creating through sewing. From crafting decorations and puppets to making stockings, pencil cases, pillows, and even slippers, each project allows children to develop fine motor skills and a sense of accomplishment as they see their designs take shape.
By the time your child completes their journey with us, they will have grown into a designing extraordinaire—equipped with the knowledge, creativity, and technical skills to take on any challenge.
At Eden Park, we believe that Design and Technology is more than a subject; it’s an opportunity to inspire innovation, foster critical thinking, and ignite a lifelong love of learning. We look forward to welcoming your child into our thriving community of young designers!
