Sean Britton Former Head of Design and Technology, ECT Facilitator and AQA Subject Lead Image by NASA on Unsplash Introduction The fact that we are working in the midst of a subject shortage and declining student enrolment is just one of the many difficulties faced by early career teachers (ECTs) entering the field of design and technology (D&T). D&T initial teacher training recruitment recently only reached about 27% of the national target, which is among the lowest across

Paul Wright Design & Technology Teacher Epping St John’s School Image by to Drew Beamer from Unsplash The Initial Teacher Training Early Career Framework (ITTECF) 2024 expects new teachers to “work collaboratively with colleagues, including support staff, to ensure lessons run smoothly and safely.” For mentors supporting trainees and early career teachers (ECTs) in design and technology (D&T), that collaboration often hinges on technician support and communication and by ext

Kate Bull Associate Assistant Headteacher and D&T teacher Kirton Academy, Lincolnshire Gateway Academies Trust Image by Riccardo Annandale , from Unsplash When mentoring a teacher becomes just another task on your to-do list, it is easy to overlook how you feel about your subject. This piece explores how I rediscovered my passion for D&T and why taking time to pause and think matters when guiding a new member of your team. Twenty years in, I fell back in love with D&T. Just

Dave Parry D&T Advisor, CLEAPSS Image by Mier Chen from Unsplash Let me tell you a tale When I were a lad… yes, I know that sounds like something your grandad might say, but back in 1982 , I started my four-year teacher training course at Middlesex Polytechnic . I signed up to become a Design teacher – or CDT, or DT, or D&T – it’s gone by many names over the years, but it’s always been about designing, making, and using tools and equipment that carry some level of risk. To m