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DCSF new food rooms guidance last call 2009
The DCSF have issued a last chance for schools to take advantage of this initiative. Only schools without Food facilities may apply for capital funding to enable them to fulfill statutory requirements in Key Stage 3 from September 2011. Please note: BSF schools in waves 1 to 6 are not eligible.
These funds must be accessed through and with the support of the Local Authority. Full details attached.

DCSF new food rooms guidance last call 2009

Building Bulletin 81 Guidance

NAAIDT Annual Conference 2009: 'Sustaining the Future' - 23rd - 25 April 2009
Just to remind you that this year's Annual Conference 'Sustaining the Future in a changing climate' is at Ettington Chase in Warwickshire from Thursday 23rd April to Saturday 25th April 2009. Please make sure that these dates are in your diary. Conference fees have been held at the 2008 prices - £399 for the full conference, £250 24 hour rate and £125 day delegate rate. The programme and application pack is posted on the website in the members area.
NEWSFLASH: DISCOUNT for members sending payment with your early application.
I look forward to seeing you there.
regards, Jonathan
Members may download a Conference Pack from here

Building schools for the future
The Education Group (EdG) have organised a joint event with the Environmental and Waste Management Group (EWMG) on the theme of 'Building schools for the future'.

This full day networking event will be held on 28 January 2009 at the Bolton Science and Technology Centre, Minerva Road, Farnworth, Bolton BL4 0WA.

The day will provide you with excellent CPD opportunities and the chance to network with fellow health and safety profesionals.
Click here for further details and link to application form

Act now on large secondary D&T class sizes!
We have established an epetition direct to Gordon Brown to demand a maximum legal class size for D&T.

The petition reads ‘We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to legislate, on the grounds of health and safety and in line with the laws already in place in Scotland and Northern Ireland, for a maximum class size of 20 at KS3 and 18 at KS4 to ensure the safe and effective teaching of design and technology in secondary schools in England and Wales.’
Make your voice heard – please ensure you and your colleagues click here and sign the epetition now

STEM DIRECTORIES - New resources
The arrival of the 2008/9 STEM Directories marks a major milestone for the STEM community. This is first time that the science, engineering and mathematics communities have come together to produce jointly a major source of STEM enhancement and enrichment schemes and activities for teachers and lecturers in schools and colleges across the UK.
The three STEM Directories – one each for Science, Mathematics and Engineering and Technology – have been created in direct response to teachers needs. They comprise a collection of over 200 schemes and activities provided by organisations from across the UK that aim to enhance and enrich the STEM curriculum. Each activity is linked to the curriculum so that the impact of the experiences and outcomes can be sustained.

Websites: www.stemdirectories.org.uk / The Royal Academy of Engineering www.raeng.org.uk / STEMNET www.stemnet.org.uk

Press Release for STEM Directories

Click here to goto the STEM Directory website

Education for a technologically advanced nation: Design and technology in schools 2004–07 - Ofsted June2008
The Ofsted Report on Design and technology in schools for the years 2004–07 has just been published. It makes for an interesting read and captures Ofsted's view of the strengths and weaknesses of our subject in schools. Based on a sample of 90 school subject visits carried out by HMI and AI (Additional Inspectors) many of whom are our members. The report makes helpful suggestions around successful models of provision, staff expertise, developing Initial Teacher Education and the need for up to date resourcing for a 21st Century department. All members should download, read and make use of this in their work.
Ofsted June 2008
Download a report from the Ofsted site

CAD it! CAM it!
ImageComputer-Aided Designing and Making for Primary Schools – a Guide for Teachers

This well illustrated booklet provides a concise and practical introduction to the use of ICT in primary schools to support design and technology. It includes clear step by step guidance on how currently available software can be used to develop and enhance children's learning.
Now available from the NAAIDT Online Shop

New DT publications from CLEAPSS
Health and Safety Maintenance of D&T Workshop Equipment L254
Managing Risk Assessment in Design and Technology L235
See the CLEAPSS web site for details

Building Schools for the Future
Click on the title for a listing of all entries in the DT Online Structures database showing examples DT accommodation in schools

Health and Safety
Click on the title for a listing of all entries in the Leadership and Management database relating to Health and Safety in DT departments

Presentations for DT projects
An electronic teaching resource, using presentation software, for teachers to use when presenting classroom activities in support of designing and making processes together with electronic workbooks for pupils.
Link to web site section

CADCAM: A guide for secondary schools
ImageWritten by Bob Cater, TEP associate and Technology Alliance Wales (TAW) Chief Executive and jointly published by TEP and NAAIDT, this book features examples of 2D and 3D product design, tracing product development through to manufacture.
It illustrates a range of ideas to develop CAD/CAM in a variety of contexts and materials. It also contains materials to help departments assess where they are with CAD/CAM provision and to plan for development. A brief look at the use of CAD/CAM as a Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 3 transition activity is also included.
Order details in the Publications section

Design and Technology Accommodation in Secondary Schools
This website is a practical resource designed to help with the process of creating or adapting accommodation for Design and Technology teaching in secondary schools.
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Link to the guidance on TeacherNet

Creating the Right Environment for Design and Technology
Creating the right environment for design and technology is extremely important for pupils studying design and technology in the 21st Century. Whilst investment in accommodation is important it can lose its impact if the planning for curriculum use is not considered before the environment design.
Click here or on the title bar to link to pages on this subject provided by the Warwickshire e-Learning Community

National Design and Technology Education Centre, Ironbridge
Ironbridge in Shropshire – birthplace of the industrial revolution – will be the site of a unique £4m lottery-funded interactive technology exhibition. It will promote the concept of 'design and technology - making the world a better place' and this will be reflected in the state-of-the-art interactive exhibits open to the public. On the same site, Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust will be opening a National D&T Education Centre which will feature a D&T classroom of the future that will be used for courses, conferences and pupil activities. The Centre will provide NAAIDT with a 'spiritual home' to exhibit publications and store equipment.Image
Click here or on the title to access a presentation describing the centre

NAAIDT Online Conference Forum
Colleagues are beginning to see the value of this online method of sharing views and some interesting discussion threads are beginning to appear. As more 'take the plunge' and use it, the conference will gain in value - so don't hesitate, have a go!
Click here or on the title bar to join in the discussions - it is open only to NAAIDT members so you will need your NAAIDT password to enter

Click here to search the news archive