Advanced Level in craft, design and technology: the movement towards acceptability

Craft, Design and Technology (CDT) is a relatively new curriculum area, which is emerging based on a sound educational philosophy and considerable political and industrial support. Its origins lie firmly in practical, craft-based work, but the new courses are based on designing and making with a notable technological component and have been accepted by educationalists as having undoubted value in educating children. As this new subject is emerging, its acceptance by Higher Education is frequently questioned. This study places the subject in context within the school curriculum, looking at its origins and the reason for its low social and academic status and discusses how the subject has emerged through curriculum development to a position of considerable support from politicians, educationalists and industrialists.