This week, the Design and Technology Association launched its highly anticipated Vision Paper for 2023 at the V&A Museum. The paper, titled "Reimagining D&T," has garnered significant support from influential figures in the industry, including renowned design guru Sir Jony Ive, Will Butler Adams OBE, and Yewande Akinola. The Vision Paper emphasises the critical need for reviving design and technology education in the country's schools and proposes decisive actions to address the subject's decline in the curriculum.
Backed by extensive research conducted by the Education Policy Institute, the Vision document builds upon a report published in March 2022, which laid the groundwork for further discussions involving key stakeholders, including subject leaders, headteachers, Trust Executive Heads, business leaders, and sector experts. Ongoing engagement and updates have been provided to the government to ensure a comprehensive and well-rounded approach to the subject's transformation.
The proposals outlined in the Vision Paper call for several essential measures, including increasing the Initial Teacher Training (ITT) bursary to match other STEM subjects, providing incentives for industry professionals to transition into teaching design and technology, and securing funding for subject-based training for teachers across both primary and secondary sectors. These steps aim to equip educators with up-to-date knowledge and expertise and provide non-specialists teaching the subject with the necessary training.
"Reimagining D&T" addresses the need for curriculum development in primary and Key Stage 3 (KS3) levels. The paper advocates for a greater focus on sustainability, energy conservation, design thinking, empathetic design, teamwork, and presentation skills. Additionally, it highlights the successful trial of additive manufacturing in primary education and calls for funding to extend this initiative nationwide.
The Design & Technology Association is calling upon the government, educational institutions, and industry leaders to recognise the crucial role of design and technology education in shaping the future of innovation, economic growth, and the workforce. They firmly believe that an updated curriculum will not only inspire and engage students but also equip them with essential skills for life and employment. Furthermore, they stress that such an approach will foster a society that addresses pressing challenges, including the climate crisis and the circular economy.
The significance of design and technology in the UK's economy cannot be overlooked. In the last year, the design sector alone contributed an impressive £97 billion to the GDP, and when engineering and manufacturing are included, the figure rose to over £400 billion. Moreover, these sectors employ a substantial portion of the workforce, with 1 in 10 workers in the UK finding employment in design and technology-related fields.
Despite its importance, the state of design and technology education in the country has been a matter of concern. Over the past two decades, GCSE entries have decreased significantly, from over 430,000 in 2003 to a mere 78,000 today. Similarly, A Level entries have seen a substantial decline, dropping from over 26,000 in 2003 to just over 10,000 presently. Qualified and trained teachers in the subject have also dwindled, with numbers falling from 14,800 in 2009 to less than 6,500 currently.
You can read the full report here.