About CAD/CAM in Schools

The overall aims of the CAD/CAM in Schools programme are:

To ensure all secondary schools in the UK have access to CAD/CAM
In English schools, the scheme seeks to provide support for the teaching of CAD/CAM at Key Stage 3 and beyond
To use software provided by PTC, Delcam and Speed Step to enhance and develop the use of CAD/CAM in the design and technology curriculum
To ensure all teachers using the software with students are adequately trained in both the use of the software and the appropriate curriculum applications
To ensure all students can make maximum use of the software, including at home
To provide an effective scheme which is well communicated to all parties
To develop industrial links with companies which will provide realistic contacts for schools.

The following is an excerpt from the 2002 Ofsted report on the effect of government initiatives in relation to ICT in Schools:

Overall, ICT is more widely and better used in design and technology than in other subjects. However, although the combined effect of the government's initiatives on the use of ICT in design and technology has been significant, improvements are more attributable to the increased attention to ICT than to specific NOF-funded training courses or online facilities provided as part of NOF-funded training. this is because other factors such as Specialist Schools funding and the CAD/CAM in Schools Initiative have often been more influential in promoting more effective use of ICT ... In nearly three quarters of schools, the use of ICT in design and technology makes a significant contribution to pupils' achievement and in more than a half of schools, teachers use ICT very effectively to promote that learning.

Computer-aided design and manufacture is a major and influential development that has stimulated much successful work using ICT. The revised National Curriculum required schools to ensure that pupils use CADCAM techniques. By far the most effective factor in developing the use of ICT in design and technology has been the provision of advanced 3D-CAD software, totally apart from nearly all NOF-funded training, but free of charge, and linked to completion of specific in-service training (INSET). This scheme was run by the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) and the Design and Technology Association (DATA). Almost two thirds of the secondary schools in England have been involved in the last two academic years. Associated computer-aided manufacture is increasing and improving, but at a much slower rate because of the lack of hardware resources in most schools.

ICT in Schools: Effect of government initiatives, secondary design and technology; Ofsted, 2002 (page 4)

You can download the full paper from the Ofsted website.