What to do about D&T? David Barlex FRSA argues more needs to be done to bring designerly skills to the classroom following a recent RSA event on the challenges facing design and technology teaching in schools. At the recent RSA event Art, Design and Bad Science John Miller asked what is wrong with Design and Technology (D&T) teaching in schools. In an accompanying paper he argued that practice does not live up to the good intentions of the original National Curriculum Orders or the considerable rhetoric that has followed.
There has in fact been no shortage of good ideas concerning practice, many from the Initial Teacher Education (ITE) community. But as most of these have not had much in the way of influence on practice, their absence from John’s paper should be forgiven. The rationale for D&T as a subject in the school curriculum is important. I am really impressed by the rationale that sees design and technological activity as a unique feature of human behaviour. So what is to be done? Preparing for change: SEN reforms - England. You will probably have heard that there are going to be changes to the way children and young people’s special educational needs (SEN) will be identified, assessed and met in England. The reforms, introduced through the Children and Families Act, come into force in September 2014.
It is important to note that the changes only affect families living in England and nothing will change until September 2014. Until then the current system of identifying, assessing and meeting SEN for children and young people will remain the same. Right up until September 2014, you can still apply for a statutory assessment of your child’s needs, with a view to getting a statement of SEN. From September 2014, those children and young people who currently have a statement will gradually be brought under the new scheme. The key changes The key changes introduced by the Children and Families Act will include: A new SEN Code of Practice SEN and disablity support changes information for young people. The TES - Education Jobs, Teaching Resources, Magazine & Forums. Education news, comment and analysis.
Education - A level results and GCSE results; university news. Education & Family.