V&A Innovate
V&A Innovate is an annual National Schools Challenge, asking students in years 7, 8 and 9 to work in teams of 4 – 6 to design a solution to a real-world problem. Deadline for entry is 10 January 2025.
January 2025 Design and Technology update
15 January 2025
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Welcome to your December 2024 Design and Technology subject update.
As this is my last update before the break, I’d like to take the opportunity to thank you for all your hard work and commitment this term and to wish you a joyful and relaxing time over the holidays.
If you ever need to get in touch, my details are at the bottom of this update.
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
| 21 February | Entry deadline for GCSE and A level qualifications (UK centres) |
| 21 March | Entry deadline for GCSE and A level qualifications (International centres) |
| 15 May | Deadline to submit NEA samples and marks |
| 2 June | A level Design and Technology exam, am |
| 18 June | GCSE Design and Technology exam, am |
To access further information on the key dates such as, late entries, please visit the information manual, accessible from link below.
GCSE Design and Technology: Face-to-face Moderation Training
We are pleased to announce the upcoming face to face moderation training events for GCSE Design and Technology.
We have two sessions on 6 March 2025 in London.
- First session (Morning) will be at 9:30-12:30.
- Second session (afternoon) will be at 13:30-16:30
This free, face-to-face training event is for Pearson Edexcel GCSE Design and Technology teachers and is designed to help centres ensure they meet the required standards.
- During the session, we will:
review exemplar work
discuss how to interpret the assessment criteria
answer questions about the moderation process.
This course is ideal for new centres, centres that have faced regression in the past, or those seeking to build confidence in using the mark grids.
Become a Creativity Champion
64 Million Artists (supported by Pearson) have created a resource pack for schools to support delivery of The January Challenge 2025. This initiative will help more students, and more teachers feel creative at school, creating a stronger sense of community, agency, wellbeing, and a capacity to engage with the curriculum. We hope a creative January inspires a creative February and beyond!
Design Ventura and other resources
A free, annual design challenge for students in years 9, 10 and 11, run by the Design Museum and supported by Deutsche Bank. Registrations are open for schools to enter the competition. From June, visit the display to discover the top ten shortlisted projects alongside the winner idea.
Design and Technology Association
Design and Technology Association provides useful resources, training and events for teachers. Please visit their website and navigate and take a look at their website.
Design Council
Championing design excellence, the Design Council UK drives innovation and sustainable growth through strategic design. By fostering collaboration across sectors, it aims to create a more inclusive world through design. Teachers can access a wealth of resources, including guides on inclusive design, and tools for running design workshops.
Subject advisor
Evren Alibaba
Design and Technology
Facebook :
Phone :
+44 (0) 344 463 2535
(Teaching Services team | Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm GMT)
