'That's where the library fits in' Design and Technology in the National Curriculum

'The capability to investigate, design, make and appraise is an important as the acquisition of knowledge'. This is the stated approach to Design and Technology (D & T) as a foundation subject in the National Curriculum. It involves pupils in a process of learning and acquiring skills of which information handling is an integral and crucial part, whether the information derives from print, graphic illustration or three dimensional model. This article demonstrates that information handling needs to be considered and built into the school's D & T curriculum at the planning stages and that the school library and its staff have much to contribute both at the planning stages and in delivery of the curriculum. The article reports on a pilot project undertaken by librarians in conjunction with the D & T departments in two ILEA secondary schools, with the support of a librarian from the Resources Support Group who acted as Research Officer. The librarians in the two pilot schools had already established good relationships with the teachers of D & T, and both schools were involved in the early stages of implementing the Hargreaves Report and the London Record of Achievement, of which more later. Consequently, both schools were keen to support the project, despite difficulties caused by industrial action at the time. Information handling is a key factor i