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In this episode of Talking D&T, I dive into the recently announced curriculum review for England and what it means for design and technology education. As someone who's been part of discussions shaping D&T's future, I share my thoughts on how teachers can get involved and influence government policy.

I explore the review's terms of reference, highlighting the emphasis on a 'broader curriculum' and what this could mean for D&T. Drawing on my experience, I suggest focusing on D&T's unique contribution to a broad education, rather than generic skills development.

I discuss the potential challenges and opportunities this review presents, considering teacher workload, budget constraints, and the need for evolution rather than revolution in our subject. I offer practical advice for teachers wanting to make their voices heard, from engaging with school leaders to participating in initiatives like the Redesigning D&T project.

Throughout, I emphasise the importance of evidence-based arguments and the need to balance the essence of D&T with practical considerations. Whether you're a primary or secondary teacher, or simply passionate about D&T's future, this episode provides food for thought on how we can collectively shape our subject.

So, how will you contribute to this crucial conversation about D&T's place in the curriculum? Let's ensure our subject's voice is heard loud and clear in this review!

Links

1. Design Council Policy Document: A collaborative report outlining recommendations for design education, launched in June 2024.
2. Curriculum Review Terms of Reference: The government's outline for the review, focusing on core subjects and a broader curriculum.
3. Redesigning D&T Project: An initiative led by Ciaran Ellis, Amanda Mason, and Andy Halliwell to gather teachers' views on contentious questions in D&T.
4. Ofsted Curriculum Research Review for D&T: An upcoming publication expected to provide evidence on what makes D&T unique.
5. Archer Exchange Network: A soon-to-be-launched platform where experts from Nottingham Trent University will share insights on D&T policies and classroom practice.

Acknowledgement
Some of the supplementary content for this podcast episode was crafted with the assistance of Claude, an AI language model developed by Anthropic. While the core content is based on the actual content and my editorial direction, Claude helped in refining and structuring information to best serve listeners. 

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