Design and Technology

Purpose and aims of D&T The National Curriculum for England states: "Design and Technology is an inspiring, rigorous and practical subject. Using creativity and imagination, pupils design and make products that solve real and relevant problems within a variety of contexts, considering their own and others’ needs, wants and values. They acquire a broad range of subject knowledge and draw on disciplines such as mathematics, physics, mechanics, electronics, engineering, computing and art. Pupils learn how to take risks, becoming resourceful, innovative, enterprising and capable citizens. Through the evaluation of past and present design and technology, they develop a critical understanding of its impact on daily life and the wider world. High-quality design and technology education makes an essential contribution to the creativity, culture, wealth and well-being of the nation." It gives four aims: "to ensure that all pupils: • develop the creative, technical and practical expertise needed to perform everyday tasks confidently and to participate successfully in an increasingly technological world • build and apply a repertoire of knowledge, understanding and skills in order to design and make high-quality prototypes and products for a wide range of users • critique, evaluate and test their ideas and products and the work of others • understand and apply the principles of nutrition and learn how to cook" where pupils develop “the power to produce change and improvement in the made world”. Design and Technology qualifications GCSE D&T (2017 onwards) Taught primarily to pupils in upper secondary school (years 10–11, aged 14–16) the GCSE incorporates all material areas (with the exception of food which is now a separate GCSE). Similar to the previous GCSE, the new GCSE Specifications have two assessed components - an exam and a non-examined assessment (NEA) but with a 50:50 split of the marks. A level A and AS level examinations prepare students for individualised learning and problem solving, which is essential in business and industry. Time management is a key factor to candidates' success within the coursework elements of the qualification. The examinations are as rigorous as any other subject. Indeed, due to the complexity and variety of tasks and organisation skills required this examination and course is very demanding. The subject covers activities from control technology to aesthetic product design. Students have to use all types of computer software including computer-aided design and manufacture, spreadsheets and computer presentations. Outputs from such work are often sent to CNC machines for manufacture. Previous qualification in D&T With the first National Curriculum new GCSE qualifications were introduced for D&T in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Unlike the National Curriculum, the previous subject titles were retained (e.g. home economics and craft, design and technology (CDT)) and others added (e.g. electronics, food technology, textiles technology, and systems and control). These GCSE specifications had two assessed components: • 50% of the final mark for coursework • 50% for an examination of general subject knowledge (materials, processes, techniques, sustainability, etc.). GCSE D&T titles that were offered included: • GCSE Design and Technology: Electronic Products • GCSE Design and Technology: Food Technology • GCSE Design and Technology: Graphic Products • GCSE Design and Technology: Resistant Materials • GCSE Design and Technology: Systems and Control • GCSE Design and Technology: Textiles Technology • GCSE Design and Technology: Product Design == International Baccalaureate in Design Technology ==

The IB Design Technology (DT) is an elective subject offered in many International Baccalaureate schools globally. Design is also offered in the IB Middle Years Programme (MYP) as a compulsory subject for grades 6–10, and at the Diploma Programme level (from grades 11–12). IB Design Technology is very similar in content to Design and Technology. It is one of the Group 4 sciences. The primary focus of MYP Design is to give students an understanding of the design cycle, through a practical programme. The student will complete projects based on solving a real and authentic problem. Students document their progress as they follow the design cycle to come to a feasible solution. They create the solution and then evaluate it following thorough testing. The Diploma Programme of Design Technology is a two-year introduction to designing, a range of fundamentals of technology, and global technological issues. It provides students with the knowledge to be able to design and make in school workshops, and also to develop an informed literacy about technology in general. Because it is an international curriculum it has a particular focus on global environmental issues. It covers core topics in human factors and ergonomics, resource management and sustainable production, modeling, raw materials to final production, innovation and design, classic design. It covers advanced higher level topics in user centered design, sustainability, innovation and markets, and commercial production. The diploma is accepted for university entrance in many countries, and is a good preparation for careers in areas such as engineering, architecture, product design, interior design, design and education. == Scotland ==

Technological education is part of the Scottish secondary school curriculum. Technological education is segregated into various subjects available at National 4, National 5, Higher and Advanced Higher Standard Subject in Technical • Graphic Communication • Design and Manufacture • Engineering Science • Practical Electronics (available to N5 level) • Practical Woodwork (available to N5 level) • Practical Metalwork (available to N5 level) Specialist Subjects within Technical • Architectural technology • Automotive engineering • Civil engineering • Building services • Construction • Electrical engineering • Mechanical engineering • Mechatronics == Wales ==

In 2022, the new Welsh Curriculum combined distinct school subjects into Areas of Learning Experience (AoLE). What was D&T now comes under the "Science and Technology" AoLE, though not all schools have fully transitioned to this new style of teaching as of 2025 and still practice D&T as a standalone subject. == Awards ==

In the UK, the Arkwright Scholarships Trust awards two-year scholarships to students who are taking GCSE/Scottish Standard Grade in design & technology. The Arkwright Engineering Scholarships support students through their A levels/Scottish Highers and encourage them to study engineering or a related area of design at a top university or through a high-quality industrial apprenticeship. ==See also==