The latest report on technical education by HMIE offers a range of examples of good practice alongside guidance on how teachers can promote the four capacities of A Curriculum for Excellence - successful learners, confident individuals, responsible citizens and effective contributors - via the subject.

The report, Technical Education - A Portrait of Current Practice in Scottish Schools, emphasises the close relationship between technical education and Scotland’s skills strategy, but also calls on teachers to innovate to keep pace with the changing industrial and social world, including issues of sustainability.

“We need to consider how to ensure a more appropriate position in the curriculum for engineering technology, in keeping with its importance educationally, socially and economically. While we have made progress in offering technical education programmes which address gender issues and appeal to pupils from across the ability spectrum, more still needs to be done in both these respects.

“Another aspect which requires continuing thought is the need for the technical subjects to take full recognition of learners as individuals, and to provide experiences which promote unique, personal responses,” say inspectors.

www.hmie.gov.ukdocumentspublicationtepcp.html.