Ofsted report labels technology teaching in schools outdated

A report by Ofsted has found that schools and teachers in England are failing to keep up to date with advances in technology.

Ofsted stated that are "insufficient opportunities" for pupils to develop knowledge of modern technology and that this is "a key weakness" in both primary and secondary education.

The report also said that schools didn't properly train teachers in new technology and innovations. In particular, Ofsted highlighted the lack of knowledge in computer-aided design and manufacture.

This lack of technical knowledge and training has resulted in an "outdated curriculum" both during the latter years of primary school and the early years of secondary school.

The report found that of the schools visited, over a quarter of primary schools and about half of secondary schools failed to offer sufficient opportunities for pupils to develop a knowledge of new technology.

Chief inspector Christine Gilbert said: "Teachers need subject-specific training - in both knowledge and skills - to stay up to date with developments. Pupils need to learn about new materials and technologies and to investigate practically how and why products work."

In around a third of the secondary schools in the survey, Ofsted found that too little was made of the use of technology in design and technology (D&T) classes. As a result, Ofsted said that the take-up of GCSE courses in these subjects was low.

In contrast, countries such as China and France emphasise the study of electronics and computer-aided design and manufacture.

Andrew Mitchell, assistant chief executive of the Design and Technology Association said that a failure to invest in the teaching of design and technology was a big risk: "If we fail to invest in its development, we run the risk of falling behind our competitors and denying future generations the benefits of the responsible use of resources and technology on which the world's future relies."

The report stated that the responsibility for such failings rested primarily with schools but Ofsted also called on government departments to help.

Both the Department for Education and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills have been asked to explore how schools can access the latest technological advances.

Andrew Renouf, talent resourcing manager for the multinational industrial group TATA, said that something different needed to be done: "In terms of teaching and developing talent in our young people, we can't always do what we have done and remain competitive. Exciting and imaginative D&T teaching in school will be crucial for our future success."