The secondary curriculum review
The revised programme of study at key stage 3 provides schools with the freedom to innovate as they make 'the importance of design and technology' statement at the head of that programme of study come to life. There is now greater flexibility for departments to develop experiences that will challenge pupils and are responsive to pupils' needs. The changes provide teachers with opportunities to draw on and reinforce learning from other subject areas and refresh the experience that pupils will enjoy.
The programme of study stresses the importance of integrating ICT into relevant designing and making activities. This is emphasised as pupils generate, develop, communicate and model ideas. The revised programme of study also recognises the continuing importance of engaging pupils' interest and confidence in using new technologies for image capture and generation, data acquisition and handling, controlling devices and when using computer aided design and manufacturing facilities.
This is encouraged through deepening pupils' understanding of the key concepts. Pupils learn that designing and making has an influence on, and is influenced by, the world around us. As a result, pupils realise that they have the potential to make an impact on and improve the quality of people's lives through the products they develop. By making links, carrying out investigations and seeing possibilities, they are inspired to be creative and innovative in their approaches.
There are many opportunities for pupils to work individually and in teams as they respond creatively to design briefs, develop their proposals and produce specifications for products and associated services by drawing on the design.
Pupils' understanding of the key concepts of cultural understanding and designing and making can be broadened through motivating designing and making activities that draw on examples from local industry or involve input from members of the community.
Addressing the key concept of 'critical evaluation' provides valuable opportunities for pupils to evaluate past and present products and solutions and develop pupils as discriminating users of products.
