A Keynote Kick-off with Vision
The recent Big DT Meet at Baysgarth School in Barton upon Humber was the first such DT event I have attended, as an experienced primary teacher with more of a Science/STEM specialism. I was blown away. It was superbly organised and opened with a powerful keynote from 5 speakers- one of whom was Tony Ryan, CEO of the Design & Technology Association. His address energised attendees and set the tone for a day of thoughtful, forward-thinking professional development. The other key-note speakers included former pupils of Baysgarth School who spoke eloquently of their educational journeys and challenges along the way, the organisers and a retired ex-teacher who brought experience, historical context and real heart to the subject and event.
Themes included: DT across the decades, the intersection of literacy and D&T, designing accessible classroom experiences- especially for pupils with SEND or autism- and the importance of aligning our curriculum with industry and technology trends.
Highlights from Leading Voices
Trudi Barrow – ‘AI and D&T’
Trudi is an influencial design education voice/specialist, CLEAPSS advisor and strong advocate for safe AI use, and delivered an insightful demonstration on integrating AI into primary DT to a packed audience. She showcased practical, innovative strategies to make AI tools and learning inspirational and engaging for younger learners, with appropriate adult supervision and thoughtful application.
Design & Technology Association
Their dual sessions- Inspired by Industry and the annual D&T Update- provided both strategic guidance (curriculum and assessment updates) and motivational content, offering real-world examples ready to take back to the classroom.
Oak National Academy- Sam Booth
Sam guided participants through effective scaffolding and pedagogy for primary DT, with a strong focus on progression and embedding essential knowledge in practical learning.
Canva Education- Andrew Caffrey
Andrew led an inspiring and informative session on the use of Canva and modelled some of the most innovative and up-to-date functions. The session was very well attended/received by participants, who were generally very much impressed by Canva and associated tools.
Sarah Dagnell- STEM Learning
This session, ‘Weaving the Green Thread: Embedding Climate and Sustainability Education in Primary D&T’ explored how primary Design & Technology can play a pivotal role in climate and sustainability education- through practical examples and linking design with real-world environmental challenges. The session highlighted how sustainable D&T projects not only build technical skills, but also foster children's understanding of current global issues, innovation in problem solving and future careers in green industries.
Lol Conway- DT Association
Lol delivered an introduction to the ‘Inspired by Industry’ KS3 resources from the Design and Technology Association- a powerful suite of engaging materials that connect classroom learning with real-world industry challenges.
Industry-Linked Sessions
- Cute Circuit: Demonstrated how electronics and textiles can merge to create expressive, wearable tech.
- E3D Online: Demystified 3D printing with project ideas tailored for primary classrooms.
- Design Museum, Foster + Partners, Neon Engineering: Offered insights into real-world design, sparking ideas for grounding classroom projects in authentic contexts.
Specialist Inclusions
Sessions on literacy in DT, hands-on strategies for teaching autistic pupils, and a dedicated SEND-readiness workshop ensured inclusive practices were front and centre.
Mini Industry Village
Attendees explored a buzzing ‘Mini Industry Village’ featuring over 30 exhibitors- local innovators to national providers- offering live demos on CAD tools, 3D printing, and curriculum-linked resources.
Final Thoughts
With hundreds of teachers attending, this Big DT Meet not only delivered exceptional content but also created vibrant, supportive opportunities to connect, share, and plan collaboratively. Each session was packed with ‘grab-and-go’ ideas- ideal whether you’re new to DT or aiming to deepen your practice.
Why You Should Attend Next Time- And You Should!
If you're looking for:
- Practical, creative DT ideas
- Clear strategies for SEND and autism inclusion
- Strong links to industry and future technologies
- A supportive community of educators
…then this conference is a gem. I left inspired, equipped with new tools, and confident to support DT practice in the classroom. An absolutely brilliant day, which delivered on all outcomes. Keep your eyes peeled for ‘The Big DT Meet’ 2026- to be held at De Montford University, Leicester. Dates tbc.