Design and Technology GCSE entries have declined since before 2010. In 2016/17 over 150,000 pupils in England entered a Design and Technology (D&T) GCSE at the end of Key Stage 4, which is over 25% of all pupils.[1]<\/p>
<\/p>
Subject experts identified a number of issues with the previous suite of D&T GCSEs. They advised that the GCSEs were out of date, did not reflect current industry practice, and lacked sufficient science, technology, engineering and mathematics content. These issues could have had an effect on take up. One issue was that there were six separate GCSEs focusing on different materials (such as resistant materials and textiles) or particular aspects of D&T (such as product design and systems and control). These did not allow pupils to gain a broad knowledge of the design process, materials, techniques and equipment that are core to the subject. The Department has reformed the D&T GCSE to address these issues. There is now just one GCSE title which emphasises the iterative design processes that is at the core of contemporary practice and includes more about cutting edge technology and processes. The new GCSE now effectively provides pupils with the knowledge they need to progress to further study and careers, including in high-tech industries.<\/p>
<\/p>
[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/revised-gcse-and-equivalent-results-in-england-2016-to-2017<\/a>.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/111", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Nick Gibb"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bognor Regis and Littlehampton"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Nick Gibb"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-06-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-06-19T15:50:00.177Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
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, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-06-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Design and Technology: GCSE"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what information he holds on the reasons for the decline in the number of entries to Design and Technology GCSE since 2010.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3985", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Robert Halfon"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Harlow"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Robert Halfon"}
], "uin" : "152125"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/921940", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/921940/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The design and technology (D&T) GCSE is a useful qualification for those pupils considering a career in engineering. The Department has reformed the D&T GCSE to ensure that it is a valuable qualification and includes the knowledge and skills sought by leading employers. Content has been aligned with high-tech industry practice with strengthened technical, mathematical and scienctific knowledge.<\/p> <\/p> Both Which? and the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service advice on A level choices and degree entry requirements state that an A level qualification in mathematics is essential for any area of engineering, with many universities requiring, or preferring, a second A level in Physics as well.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/111", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Nick Gibb"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bognor Regis and Littlehampton"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Nick Gibb"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-06-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-06-19T16:04:30.043Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
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, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-06-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Design and Technology: GCSE"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to Engineering UK's 2018 State of Engineering Report, what assessment he has made of the potential contribution of students with a qualification in Design and Technology GCSE to filling the skills gap in engineering.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3985", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Robert Halfon"}
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, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Harlow"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Robert Halfon"}
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, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/921941", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/921941/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " I refer my right hon. Friend, the Member for Harlow to the answer I gave on 11 June 2018 to Question 148743:<\/p> https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Commons/2018-06-01/148743/<\/a>.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/111", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Nick Gibb"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bognor Regis and Littlehampton"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Nick Gibb"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-06-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-06-19T15:44:54.027Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-06-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Design and Technology: GCSE"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps his Department has taken to increase the take-up of Design and Technology GCSE alongside the EBacc; and if he will make a statement.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3985", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Robert Halfon"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Harlow"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Robert Halfon"}
], "uin" : "152127"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/921942", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/921942/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " The key stage 4 curriculum is designed to be broad and balanced, providing a strong basis for progression whatever the student decides to study post-16. Specifically for engineering, maths and science are a compulsory part of the curriculum.<\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/1523", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Anne Milton"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Guildford"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Anne Milton"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-06-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-06-19T16:00:12.677Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-06-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Apprentices and T-levels: Engineering"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
}
], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what subject mix at age 16 he would recommend to support progression into an Engineering apprenticeship or T-Level post-16.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3985", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Robert Halfon"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Harlow"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Robert Halfon"}
], "uin" : "152128"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/921943", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department for Education"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/921943/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " T-levels will provide students with knowledge and the technical, practical skills needed to get a skilled job. They will also allow students to progress into higher levels of technical training including degree courses in subjects relevant to their T-level.<\/p> My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State announced in April that he would make no changes to the National Curriculum within the lifetime of this Parliament; and there should be no need to do so to prepare pupils for T-levels. All state schools are required to teach broad and balanced curricula that will provide young people with the skills and knowledge they need to undertake post-16 education and training; and the design of T-levels will take into account the knowledge and skills that pupils obtain through the current National Curriculum and reformed GCSEs.<\/p> <\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/111", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Nick Gibb"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Bognor Regis and Littlehampton"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Nick Gibb"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-06-19", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "isMinisterialCorrection" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-06-19T15:17:19.857Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
]}
, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "60"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Education"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-06-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "T-levels"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
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], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps he is taking to revise the national curriculum to ensure that students are prepared for T-levels.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3985", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Robert Halfon"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Harlow"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Robert Halfon"}
], "uin" : "152129"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/917553", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health and Social Care"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/917553/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Information on the percentage of accident and emergency (A&E) departments which met the four hour standard in Essex and the East of England is not available in the format requested.<\/p> <\/p> NHS England collects and publishes performance data against the four-hour A&E standard at both a trust and a national level. The data is not available by the requested areas.<\/p> <\/p> Data covering A&E departments in England for the 2016/17 financial year is available at the following link:<\/p> <\/p> https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/ae-waiting-times-and-activity/statistical-work-areasae-waiting-times-and-activityae-attendances-and-emergency-admissions-2016-17/<\/a><\/p>"}
, "answeringMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/4095", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Steve Barclay"}
}
, "answeringMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "North East Cambridgeshire"}
, "answeringMemberPrinted" : {"_value" : "Stephen Barclay"}
, "dateOfAnswer" : {"_value" : "2018-06-11", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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, "questionFirstAnswered" : [{"_value" : "2018-06-11T15:49:27.387Z", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
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, "answeringDeptId" : {"_value" : "17"}
, "answeringDeptShortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"}
, "answeringDeptSortName" : {"_value" : "Health and Social Care"}
, "date" : {"_value" : "2018-06-05", "_datatype" : "dateTime"}
, "hansardHeading" : {"_value" : "Accident and Emergency Departments: Standards"}
, "houseId" : {"_value" : "1"}
, "legislature" : [{"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/terms/25259", "prefLabel" : {"_value" : "House of Commons"}
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], "questionText" : "To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what percentage of accident and emergency departments met the four-hour standard in (a) Essex, (b) The East of England and (c) England in 2017.", "registeredInterest" : {"_value" : "false", "_datatype" : "boolean"}
, "tablingMember" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/members/3985", "label" : {"_value" : "Biography information for Robert Halfon"}
}
, "tablingMemberConstituency" : {"_value" : "Harlow"}
, "tablingMemberPrinted" : [{"_value" : "Robert Halfon"}
], "uin" : "150026"}
, {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/917554", "AnsweringBody" : [{"_value" : "Department of Health and Social Care"}
], "answer" : {"_about" : "http://data.parliament.uk/resources/917554/answer", "answerText" : {"_value" : " Information relating to accident and emergency (A&E) admissions, transfers and discharge in Essex and the East of England is not available in the format requested. NHS England collects and publishes performance data against the four-hour A&E standard at both a trust and a national level. The data is not available by the requested geographical areas.<\/p> <\/p> Data for England is available at the following link. It should be noted that the data in 2010/11 was collected from November 2010 onwards and as such, only shows a partial year:<\/p> <\/p>