Sir, Michael Gove can allay Brian Lightman’s understandable concerns (report, Mar 7) very simply: by keeping Design and Technology on the national curriculum. Design and Technology is unique, challenging both hands and minds. It embeds all of the qualities Mr Lightman lists: research, independence, technology, communications, leadership, teamwork and problem solving.
And problem solvers are becoming a rare species. I should know. We’re looking for new graduates, particularly in engineering. We want inquisitive minds, unafraid to make mistakes. Exams are important, but so is an openness to risk.
Design and Technology is not today’s woodwork. It breeds new products and new business. It is academic and practical. It deserves the same status as physics and maths. Mr Gove must take design, technology and engineering seriously and offer it to all.
Sir James Dyson
Malmesbury, Wilts
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Sir, Libby Purves’s Opinion (Mar 7) on school leaders’ concerns about the Government’s plan to “restore a traditional curriculum” misses the point. The issue is that a curriculum must develop both knowledge and skills. The omission or favouring of either would be disastrous for the employability of a future generation. Skills without knowledge are no more use than knowledge without skills.
Brian Lightman
General Secretary, Association of School and College Leaders