Release date: 6 March 2012
The Design Council has welcomed the findings of an independent review of Cultural Education in England, which has recommended that a greater priority should be given to Design as a curriculum subject within schools. The Henley Review of Cultural Education calls for at least one cultural subject, such as design & technology or art & design to be a mandatory GCSE subject and part of the English Baccalaureate.
The Review was conducted at the request of the Secretary of State for Education and the Minister for Culture, Communications and Creative Industries, and was launched by Michael Gove MP at the Royal Opera House in London last week.
The recommendations about the role of Design in the curriculum are echoed in two recent reports – one by the Creative Industries Council which was backed by Ministers in BIS, DCMS and DfE, and the other from the Design Commission enquiry into Design Education.
David Kester, Chief Executive of the Design Council said:
“Design education in schools is crucial to UK social and economic growth, and has a vital role in inspiring the next generation of great designers and an understanding of how good design can benefit society as a whole. We welcome the recommendations to set up a new cross-Whitehall ministerial group on Cultural Education and creating a new national plan for the commissioning and delivery of Cultural Education.”
“Crucial to the successful delivery of such strategies is a first-rate workforce. The Design Council recognise the importance of keeping teachers up to date with professional skills and industry developments. The proposal to connect teachers to industry is an excellent one, and are keen to be involved in supporting those links - potentially growing our Design Ambassador (designers in schools) scheme in partnership with STEMNET,” he continued.
The Design Council also welcomed the government’s decision to provide additional funding for the Sorrell Foundation’s Art & Design Saturday Club, enabling the scheme to grow and flourish.