Pupils should shift focus away from creating products that ‘end up in landfill’

Design and technology pupils should be focusing on designing solutions to global challenges rather than creating products which often end up in landfill, one of the UK’s biggest education companies has suggested. The company hopes a new curriculum would change the focus away from creating products that “could end up in landfill” and instead pupils help to create sustainable solutions to key global issues like climate change. It is a sensible idea to shift the focus of design and technology to sustainable solutions Julie McCulloch, Association of School and College Leaders A survey by the Teacher Tapp app, of 2,295 secondary school teachers and leaders in England in January, found that half would support the move to D&T addressing global challenges like climate change and preparing students for designing in a digital future. Sharon Hague, Pearson’s senior vice president of UK Schools, said: “Design and Technology has provided decades of valuable skills to young people, however, in the face of continued national decline in take up of the subject alongside rising costs associated with the current workshop infrastructure and a shrinking teacher workforce, it is no surprise that many people are supporting change.” She added: “While making will still be a key part of design education, our proposed new curriculum would also put a focus on designing for the planet, with learners challenged to help create sustainable solutions to key global issues like climate change and creating fewer products that could end up in landfill. “It is clearly early days in developing this new approach, but it is important that it is made explicitly clear what is meant by ‘design solutions that address global issues’ and exactly what the subject will comprise.” A DfE spokesperson said: “Design and technology can teach young people vital practical skills while inspiring their creativity.