110 results found for your search "contextual challenge"
Editorial for Designing Magazine 2019 - issue 113, With the GCSE Non-Examined Assessment (NEA) and written examination now done and dusted, this feels like an opportune time to commit this to paper. It was clear when I took up this post that there was a considerable challenge associated with the position. The subject has battled resolutely against many external pressures imposed upon it and leading the continued push to gain acceptance of the subject within the school system was essential. Over my time in education I have led three departments, went on to line manage...
What is the maximum number of students that should be taught within D&T workshops and studios?, BS 4163:2021+A2:2023 ‘Health and safety for design and technology in educational and similar establishments – Code of practice states that: ‘In England and Wales, there should be a maximum of 20 learners with one competent, qualified teacher in any one work area’. ‘In Scotland and Northern Ireland, there should be a maximum of 20 pupils for all classes in practical subjects’. It goes on to provide a helpful framework to use when assessing group sizes: ‘Risk assessments should be carried out to determine the...
Maximum number of pupils taught within Design and Technology workshops and studios, We are pleased to provide the following guidance regarding the number of learners in Design and Technology, taken from our publication: ‘Risk Assessment in Secondary Schools and Colleges Design and Technology Teaching Environments’ which can be purchased via the Resource Shop. Please reference the FAQ page. BS 4163:2021 Health and safety for design and technology in educational and similar establishments – Code of practice states that: ‘In England and Wales, there should be a maximum of 20 learners with one competent, qualified teacher in...
Time to put the clocks back, The National Curriculum subject D&T has presented controversy for the entire period of its existence. Some might say that is good. Others would say it is inevitable as its nature, purpose and content, together with associated teaching and learning methodology used to teach and assess it have been subject to continual review. What we do know, is the strength of the passion felt by many about D&T, to which in many cases they have devoted their entire professional life. This D&T Association’s blog provides an opportunity for some of these views to...
Why has the number of teenagers taking design and technology GCSE dropped?, For some time now, the Association has been expressing concern over the inability of the subject to move forward in response to changes in National Curriculum - and I'm not simply referring to the most recent iteration, and developments in technologies, materials, processes and pedagogy. It has also warned, that in situations where this is not happening, then the very certainty of its continuation is at question. We are now regularly receiving reports of schools either considerably cutting back on provision, or in the worst cases...
Timetabling D&T , Andy Mitchell explores the importance of good timetabling for design and technology Importance and context Recent posts in social media have included requests made by Subject Leaders, asking for examples of timetabling models used in colleagues’ schools. It takes me back to when I engaged in the annual process of timetabling D&T in a large comprehensive school at which I worked. Obviously no two schools are the same and there are many variables to consider, such as number/type of specialist rooms, available specialist teachers, time allocation and distribution, class grouping/division...
Special measures, Andy Mitchell reflects on a week when once again, we are reminded of further changes ahead for schools and particularly the preparation of teachers in the future and the view from Ofsted. Reflecting on my second week at the beginning of what is set to be yet another turbulent year for education, where did it go? A week when we heard once again from the Department for Education that they would like to discuss with us what revised GCSEs for the subject might look like. That’s good. Then Sir Michael Wilshaw speaking from Nottingham at...
Exploring the "Inspired by Industry" Member-only Resources, Inspired By Industry is a set of free design contexts/challenges designed for Key Stage 3 D&T. Each focuses on a different area and is created with a real company or designer who have also tackled this or a similar problem. Each of these contexts contains a wealth of useful material including videos, worksheets, teachers’ notes. D&T Association members will also access a wealth of supporting units; focused tasks (FTs) and investigative and evaluative activities (IEAs). These editable resources are aligned to the KS3 National Curriculum and D&T Progression Framework, providing you...
Supporting Academies Transition to the current National Curriculum for Design & Technology, Are you concerned about the recent decision to review the National Curriculum by the new government? As you are aware, schools within Multi Academy Trusts (MATs) will be required to deliver all subjects, including D&T, which align with the National Curriculum. We know that this change brings opportunities and challenges in equal measure for some schools. How can we help make this process run smoothly? The Design and Technology Association is uniquely positioned to assist you in this transition. With...
Case Study - The Oaks Collegiate, Our Director of Education Ryan Ball visited King Edward VI Northfield School for Girls in Birmingham to deliver an INSET for the Oaks Collegiate. The Oaks Collegiate is a group of nine mainstream secondary schools and one special school. Their mission is to work together in partnership to develop best practice and improve the quality of learning in all the Oaks schools. The first workshop was delivered by our Curriculum Consultant, Paul Woodward. The session delved into CAD using both Tinkercad and Onshape - two prominent, free, cloud-based platforms. The...
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