We’re calling for a refresh of the Design and Technology curriculum to protect the future of innovation
Supported by both The Design Council and The Design and Technology Association, we are asking the Government to put design thinking at the forefront of Design and Technology lessons in schools, including more real-world application of skills.
Why do we need change?
Our newly commissioned research found less than half* (44%) of 13-19 year olds believe the current Design and Technology curriculum prepares them for the future of technology. Meanwhile, almost a quarter (23%) believe that Design and Technology lessons haven’t given them sufficient skills to make a change in the world using technology.
On top of this, a report by The Design Council and The Design and Technology Association also revealed that a fifth (20%) of schools in England and Wales do not teach Design and Technology at all. The number of pupils taking the subject at GCSE level has also fallen by 68% in the last decade, which is why we’ve partnered with The Design Council and Design and Technology Association to urge for this education review.
The impact of this is less young people being able to solve societal issues due to them not being equipped with the necessary skills.
Samsung believes that the UK should enable young people to be encouraged to pursue careers which allow them to be innovators, regardless of their status, gender or background.
Five key elements of change
We’re asking the Government to consider taking action by…
- Evolving Design & Technology lessons to have design thinking and innovation at the forefront through practical projects - Samsung’s research showing that 71% of young people would like to be offered a course in school to develop their own inventions
- Future-proofing the Curriculum by ensuring latest technologies such as AI are being formally integrated into the Curriculum, in the context of real-world technology applications
- Adopting a more holistic approach to teaching technology and digital skills in schools by connecting the Design & Technology curriculum with Computing Education
- Training more teachers in Design & Technology to enable young people in all schools to access quality D&T education and access to tools / resources
- Ensuring young people’s voices are heard and reflected in understanding their current challenges and in any future decision-making process.
How are we amplifying young people’s voices?
Young voices are currently being discovered and amplified through our Solve for Tomorrow programme. The competition, which is now in its fifth year, invites 16–25-year-olds to come up with tech solutions that help solve societal challenges - with one of the key points of entry being Design and Technology lessons in schools. Winners of the competition receive £10,000 in funding, alongside additional expert-led workshops and mentoring to help bring their idea to life.
If you are 16-25 and have a tech-for-good idea, you can apply to Solve for Tomorrow here until Sunday 12th January 2025.
To help aid a curriculum refresh, we have also invited Government ministers and stakeholders to its youth forum, a forum led by the thoughts of young people currently in, or who have recently left, the education system. The forum allows young people to share their experiences, ambitions and discuss how the education system can help them achieve their goals. This follows our response to the Government’s call for evidence as part of the Curriculum Review.
*Consumer research was commissioned to 1,000 UK teenagers aged 13-19 between the 4th and 10th October 2024 by OnePoll. Onepoll are members of ESOMAR and comply with the ESOMAR guidelines for online research.
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