I've been thinking some more about D&T, and the lack of inclusion in the new bitesize content and oak national academy. It's a little long winded... (1)

I was, I admit, annoyed. Maybe even angry. Once again, a national initiative appears, and theres no mention of D&T in any format - no materials technology, no food, no product analysis, no engineering, nothing.

I understand why some people may not see what the problem is. I agree, we don't want poor quality information, things that aren't as useful as they could be, pushing stereotypes that may not be helpful within our "new" D&T world (please, no more bird boxes!)

But just for a moment, imagine.
Imagine if the bitesize, televised content included the core technical content from the GCSE specification. Lessons labelled as D&T, discussing generation of electricity, use of automation in manufacturing, sustainability, social and economic...

impact, core materials, electronics, mechanisms, application of forces on structures and products... The technical content that make our subject both interesting & challenging, content that directly challenges the preconceived notion of D&T as "woodwork", "home ec", "knitting"...

All things we know we are so much more than.

Imagine the potential response from parents, community members - other teachers. Imagine a chance to demonstrate to everyone else what our subject really is - and what it no longer is.

I can't apologise for shouting about my subject, and wanting everyone to be able to access high quality resources relating to it. I can't help but be disappointed that it felt again like we were being overlooked and forgotten - again

I've given up keeping track of the number of meetings I've been in where flashy resources are shared for "all subjects" - and finding there's nothing for D&T. It's not a new position to find myself in.