Design and technology curriculum 'needs modernising'

Design and technology (D&T) classes need to be modernised if they are to keep pace of global advances, education watchdog Ofsted has warned.

A report published by the organisation this week highlighted the lack of subject-specific training for teachers, which is "undermining efforts to develop pupils' knowledge and skills".

Ofsted chief inspector Christine Gilbert commented: "Most pupils in the schools visited enjoyed designing and making products, solving real problems for people in their communities and further afield, and seeing their ideas taking shape.

"This was vitally important to them. Achievement and provision in D&T was best where up-to-date technologies were used and explained accurately.

"But the variation between the best and weakest provision is unacceptably wide."

The report noted that too many teachers are failing to keep up with developments and build on their initial training sufficiently to teach the more demanding parts of the curriculum.

Commenting on the report, schools minister Nick Gibb said it is important that schools are able to meet employers' demands for up-to-date technological education.

Posted by Isabel Mansell


 

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