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<p>Following an assessment, the Department has found no evidence to demonstrate that
entries to the design and technology (D&T) GCSE have fallen as a direct consequence
of an increase in students taking the English Baccalaureate (EBacc). The gradual decline
in the proportion of pupils entered for D&T GCSE started in 2001, when the subject
became non-compulsory at Key Stage 4. The EBacc was first introduced in 2010.</p><p>
</p><p>The EBacc encourages young people to take core academic subjects, keeping their
options open for further study and future careers. The Department is clear that it
should be studied alongside other subjects, such as D&T, and it has been designed
to allow pupils to do this.</p><p> </p><p>The Department has reformed D&T GCSE
so that it has a greater emphasis on the iterative design process, something that
subject experts advise is at the core of contemporary industry practice. It also includes
more on the technical knowledge required, including cutting edge technology and processes.
These structural changes make it more accessible to pupils and easier for teachers
to deliver whilst maintaining the rigour and challenge the Department expects of a
GCSE subject. It will take time for the new GCSE to embed given the significant changes.
The Department continues to attract more graduates into teaching and have increased
the bursary offered for most D&T teacher trainees through the introduction of
a £12,000 bursary for trainees with a 2:2 or higher. Previously those with a 2:1 received
£9,000 and those with a 2:2 received no bursary.</p>
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