Protect the Future of Inventing and Innovation: Samsung Calls for Refresh of the School Curriculum

Samsung has called on the Government to review how Design and Technology is taught in schools, in a bid to ensure the next generation of innovators are from diverse backgrounds

GCSE uptake in the subject has fallen by over two thirds (68%) in the past decade and less than half (44%) of students believe their current lessons are preparing them for the future of technology and innovation

Supported by both The Design Council and The Design and Technology Association, Samsung has asked the Government to put design thinking at the forefront of lessons, including more real-world application of skills

LONDON, UK – 16 December, 2024: Samsung Electronics Co. (UK) Ltd has called for the way Design and Technology is taught in schools to be refreshed. Without this change, there is a fear the UK’s pipeline of diverse talent with the skills for future inventions is at risk.

In a letter to the Government, supported by both The Design Council and The Design and Technology Association, the technology company highlighted the risk of Design and Technology becoming non-existent in the next decade. To enable a new generation of young innovators, there is willingness from Samsung to provide support and expertise to future conversations on curriculum changes to how D&T is taught to young people.

New research out today, commissioned by Samsung found less than half* (44%) of 13-19 year olds that the current D&T curriculum prepares them for the future of technology. Meanwhile, almost a quarter (23%) believe that Design and Technology lessons haven’t given them sufficient skills to make a change in the world using technology.

A report by The Design Council and The Design and Technology Association also revealed that a fifth (20%) of schools in England and Wales do not teach Design and Technology at all. The number of pupils taking the subject at GCSE level has also fallen by 68% in the last decade, leading to Samsung partnering with The Design Council and Design and Technology Association to urge for this necessary education review.

The impact of this is fewer young people being able to solve societal issues, including those centred around the environment, due to them not being equipped with the necessary skills.

In the letter, Samsung, alongside The Design Council and The Design and Technology Association, calls upon the Government to consider five key elements of change:

• Evolve D&T lessons to have design thinking and innovation at the forefront through practical projects – Samsung’s research showing that 71% of young people would like to be offered a course in school to develop their own inventions
• Future-proofing the Curriculum by ensuring latest technologies such as AI are being formally integrated into the Curriculum, in the context of real-world technology applications
• Ensure young people’s voices are heard and reflected in understanding their current challenges and in any future decision-making process
• Training more teachers in Design & Technology to enable young people in all schools to access quality D&T education and access to tools / resources
• Adopt a more holistic approach to teaching technology and digital skills in schools by connecting the Design & Technology curriculum with Computing Education

To help aid a curriculum refresh, Samsung has also invited Government ministers and stakeholders to its youth forum, a forum led by the thoughts of young people currently in, or who have recently left, the education system – supported by The Design Council and The Design and Technology Association. The forum allows young people to share their experiences, ambitions and discuss how the education system can help them achieve their goals. This follows it responding to the Government’s call for evidence as part of the Curriculum Review.

These young voices are currently being discovered and amplified through Samsung’s Solve for Tomorrow programme. The competition, which is now in its fifth year, invites 16–25-year-olds to come up with tech solutions that help solve societal challenges. Winners of the competition are supported by Samsung in bringing their ideas to life through free educational workshops, mentoring, funding and support – with one of the key points of entry being Design and Technology classes in schools.

Young people across the country can visit the Solve for Tomorrow website for more information, and enter here until Sunday 12th January 2025. The full letter is also available to read on our website.

Speaking about the letter, Soohyun Jessie Park, Head of Corporate Social Responsibility at Samsung Electronics UK, said: “We are fortunate enough to speak to young innovators every day as part of the Solve for Tomorrow programme and we know they have a huge appetite for innovation right across the country, yet still experience barriers to realise this. We believe a refresh of the Design and Technology curriculum will help equip young people with the fundamental skills they need for the future, with a bigger emphasis on key skills such as design thinking.

They’re currently looking to use tech to change the world for good, and we need to foster that, both in our Solve for Tomorrow programme and outside of it. Hopefully, the Government working with us to make this change can be a key driver to help unlock the potential of a more diverse next generation of innovators.” 

Rachel Moriarty, Director of Skills at the Design Council, also stated: “We must inspire and equip the next generation of designers if we are to solve societal issues in the future. Particularly around environmental issues, design is a core green skill. This includes both ‘frontline’ design skills of using and re-using natural resources more efficiently, but also ‘hearts and minds’ design skills such as making regenerative lifestyles the more attractive option. The Design Council has launched an ambitious mission to upskill 1 million designers in green design skills by 2030, and this mission starts in schools. We welcome a comprehensive review of the D&T curriculum to ensure that we have the crucial skills that will drive our economy and protect our planet for the future.”

Tony Ryan, Chief Executive of the Design and Technology Association, further commented:

“Design and technology focuses on problem-solving, innovation and creativity to provide thoughtfully designed products, systems, and services to suit an increasingly complex world. Our subject seeks to produce well-informed and eternally curious young people who will learn how they can leave the earth in a more positive place than they found it. It’s vital that if we’re going to solve issues in the future, we’re giving our young people the tools to do it today”.

Methodology
*Consumer research was commissioned to 1,000 UK teenagers aged 13-19 between the 4th and 10th October 2024 by OnePoll. Onepoll are members of ESOMAR and comply with the ESOMAR guidelines for online research.

Patent information was obtained via the Intellectual Property Office

About the Design Council

The Design Council is the UK’s national strategic advisor for design, championing design and its ability to make life better for all. It is an independent and not for profit organisation incorporated by Royal Charter. The Design Council uniquely works across all design sectors and delivers programmes with business, government, public bodies and the third sector. Their work encompasses thought leadership, tools and resources, showcasing excellence, and research to evidence the value of design and influence policy. Their Design for Planet mission was introduced in 2021 to galvanise and support the 1.97 million people who work in the UK’s design economy to help achieve net zero and beyond. In September 2025 the Design Council will host the prestigious World Design Congress as a catalytic moment in driving the sector towards designing for planet.

About the Design and Technology Association

The Design and Technology Association is dedicated to supporting, developing, and promoting high-quality design and technology education as a core element of a well-rounded education for all young people. We bridge the gap between schools, students, and the worlds of business, design, manufacturing, and industry, while advocating with the Government and key decision-makers to ensure the subject’s value is fully recognised and supported.

As the UK’s leading authority on design and technology, the Association is committed to ensuring that all students, regardless of ability, gender, socioeconomic background or disability, have access to high-quality D&T education as part of a broad, creative curriculum up to the age of 18.

For more information, please visit www.designtechnology.org.uk or contact us at info@designtechnology.org.uk.