Setting

Aviation House 125 Kingsway London WC2B 6SE T 0300 123 1231 F 020 7421 6855 enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk www.ofsted.gov.uk

p.1

Mrs A Mason Headteacher Amblecote Primary School School Drive Amblecote Stourbridge DY8 4DQ

p.1

technology (D&T)

Thank you for your hospitality and cooperation, and that of the staff and pupils, during my visit on 4 October 2010 to look at work in D&T.

p.1

technology (D&T)

The visit provided valuable information which will contribute to our national evaluation and reporting. Published reports are likely to list the names of the contributing institutions but individual institutions will not be identified in the main text without their consent.

p.1

technology (D&T)

The evidence used to inform the judgements included: interviews with staff and pupils; scrutiny of relevant documentation; analysis of pupils’ work; and observation of six lessons, including observing the pre-school children.

p.1

technology (D&T)

The overall effectiveness of D&T is satisfactory.

p.1

Achievement in D&T

Pupils’ achievement in D&T is satisfactory.

p.1

Achievement in D&T

 Pupils enter school with a variety of skills and experience in handling tools. For example, some can use scissors to cut around shapes. In the Early Years Foundation Stage, staff provide plenty of opportunities for children to be creative. Pupils’ D&T capabilities are identified well but opportunities are sometimes missed to provide sufficient challenge for all. By the end of Key Stage 2, attainment overall is in line with national expectations.

p.1

Quality of teaching of D&T

The quality of teaching is good.  In the lessons seen, teachers and teaching assistants used their good knowledge of the pupils to challenge and support them well. All groups of pupils enjoyed the activities and made good progress. Pupils are encouraged to work independently and staff keep a careful eye on the activities to move the work along at a good pace. Pupils said how much they enjoyed D&T and were rightly proud of what they made. Although teachers plan work for pupils carefully, expectations of what pupils can achieve are sometimes too low and so opportunities to help them to learn more are missed. The school makes good use of its limited information and communication technology in D&T. Pupils particularly enjoy systems and control projects.

p.1

Quality of the curriculum in D&T

The quality of the curriculum in D&T is satisfactory.

p.2

Quality of the curriculum in D&T

 The school has begun to adapt the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority units of work to more closely meet the needs of pupils. The school is aware that they are in the early stages of developing this and appropriate plans ensure there is a balance of D&T across the key stages.

p.2

Effectiveness of leadership and management in D&T

Leadership and management in D&T are good.

p.2

Effectiveness of leadership and management in D&T

 The recently appointed coordinator uses her knowledge of organising and managing a curriculum well to identify the strengths and areas for development. She has a clear vision for the subject based on a secure evaluation of D&T. She has translated this well into her subject development plan. Systems for tracking and monitoring pupils’ progress are well underway.

p.2

Areas for improvement, which we discussed, include:

 ensuring that all aspects of work challenge all groups of pupils and that this is reflected in the schemes of work and lesson plans.

p.2

Areas for improvement, which we discussed, include:

I hope that these observations are useful as you continue to develop D&T in the school.

p.2

Areas for improvement, which we discussed, include:

As I explained previously, a copy of this letter will be published on the Ofsted website. It may be used to inform decisions about any future inspection. Except in the case of academies, a copy of this letter is also being sent to your local authority.

p.2