AN award-winning Oxenhope man is appealing for people to support a campaign to reverse a "critical" shortage of qualified design and technology teachers.

Mike Hopkinson dedicated more than four decades of his working life to the subject. Last month (March) he was presented with the 2016 Design and Technology (D&T) Association award for outstanding contribution to design and technology education.

This is the highest professional award that can be made by the association.

Mr Hopkinson, who is a retired D&T senior assessor, warned Britain risks losing its status as a world leader in this discipline due to Government changes to the national curriculum.

He explained these changes mean D&T is no longer compulsory at GCSE level, which is discouraging new people from becoming D&T teachers.

"Recruitment has dropped dramatically," he said. "We used to be leaders in the field but if we're not careful that's going to disappear, and this is not an overstatement. It's a desperate position.

"Creative and inspirational teachers will be sidelined because there will be no funding for this subject in schools as it doesn't count towards Government league tables.

"I don't think the Government is actually against design and technology at all. The situation has come about entirely inadvertently."

He said the Government needs to reform the curriculum to ensure a creative or technical subject is compulsory for all pupils at Key Stage Four level.

He added that he also wants to see D&T teacher shortages tackled through increased bursary incentives to attract the best entrants to the profession.

Mr Hopkinson has lived in Oxenhope for 30 years and was a senior assessor for the OCR exam board at the time of his retirement.

His previous roles have included a stint as principal lecturer and head of D&T at Leeds Metropolitan University.

Mr Hopkinson received his award at a presentation in the Institution of Engineering and Technology at Savoy Place, London.

His citation comments: "Mike has briefed ministers and leaders of industry on curriculum developments in D&T, hosted royalty and also made several TV appearances to promote the importance of D&T as an exciting and constantly developing subject.

"He has been an excellent teacher, lecturer and assessor and has made a huge impact on many teachers and schools with his exceptionally inspiring D&T professional development courses."

Reacting to the accolade, Mr Hopkinson said: "This was totally unexpected and I feel honoured and deeply moved. It's a lovely end to what has been a very fulfilling career.

"The awards ceremony was a marvellous event, with some brilliant company and I'm glad my daughter and I were able to attend."

People wanting to know more about the campaign to support design and technology in UK schools can go to the D&T Designed and Made in Britain..? Facebook page, or visit data.org.uk/campaign for details.