Hello, could anyone please explain something to me in regards to D&T....
When I was at secondary school there was a couple of different options which you moved around from years 7-9 and then you picked one for your g.c.s.e. The options were: food, textiles, resitant materials (woodwork & metal work) and Graphic Products - this was technical drawing and some packaging design.
I would like to know how D&T works in most schools now, as I have heard that in some schools D&T can be dropped for example a business studies g.c.s.e - I realise it may depend on the facilities in the school but I was interested to know how it worked really!
I am especially interested in the graphics/design part of D&T (if there is one!) as I understand its now more technically up to date then when I was at school!
If any one has any experience of D&T, I would love to hear more.

I dont work in high school but from my experience with my older daughters then D&T is still taught in a similar way in years 7,8, & 9. different subjects every term.
when they take their options in year nine they have to choose four options, there is no pressure for them to take any d&t subject or buisness studies.
my eldest daughter did choose buisness studies as an option but my second daughter hasn't d&t ot buisness studies, she is doing History, spanish, drama and geography.

this may not be the same in all schools but someone working in high school may have a better idea.

My daughter's high school is classed as a 'Technology College' so all children have to take a DT subject as an option.

When i was at school, Yrs 7/8/9 had varied D&T Classes and would change every term. Then depending on what they were good at were placed into the specific D&T class for GCSE.

Will ask daughter as she is GCSE year doing Graphics but I'm sure hers is under Media Studies Umbrella.

as a hlta attached to a d+t department, i am constantly in despair regarding the non existant level of skills and appreciation regarding design that our pupils possess. they all want the latest gadgets yet they have no idea as to why and how these things exist.

My eldest in yr 10. Did same as previous posters in yr 7-9. She chose graphics, art and textiles (design trained myself, I agree with you Johns, on children learning technology side of it all!). Although, was unlucky and could only get in graphics.

As for options though Emma, I do believe a child doesn't have to select any art/design option thesedays.