Setting

Aviation House 125 Kingsway London WC2B 6SE T 08456 404040 F 020 7421 6855 enquiries@ofsted.gov.uk www.ofsted.gov.uk

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Mrs L Fowler Headteacher Crofton Junior School Slack Lane Crofton Wakefield WF4 1HJ

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technology (D&T)

Thank you for your hospitality and cooperation, and that of your staff, during my visit on 19 November 2009 to look at work in D&T.

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technology (D&T)

As outlined in my initial letter, as well as looking at key areas of the subject, the visit had a particular focus on how the school promotes awareness and relevance of D&T to pupils and their parents, and the extent to which their views contribute to the school’s evaluation of D&T.

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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.

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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 D&T work in lessons.

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technology (D&T)

The overall effectiveness of D&T is good.

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Achievement in D&T

 Pupils make good progress and achievement is above expectations. All groups of pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities, achieve equally well when designing and making. Pupils learn a good range of D&T skills and apply them creatively in activities such as designing and making models of fairgrounds and moving toys.  Pupils’ technical knowledge is good. For example Year 6 pupils used terms such as pear-shaped cams and blanket stitch freely and confidently when discussing their project work. Information and communication technology (ICT) is used very effectively to research and present design information. There is a strong emphasis on challenging pupils to innovate and think creatively when they are designing and making. Pupils say they find the subject exciting and enjoy taking responsibility for their own design ideas.

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Quality of teaching of D&T

 Teachers’ subject expertise is good and plans to deliver D&T are rigorous. Practical work is managed and organised well. An appropriate range of resources is used to good effect. All staff work very effectively as a team to ensure learning in D&T moves forward at a good pace in lessons.  Work is assessed and recorded against school levels. Pupils are given good advice on how to improve their work. They are not always sure about the progress they are making in developing their D&T capability. The school is considering analysing attainment and standards in more depth, for example through baseline assessments in Year 3.

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Quality of the curriculum in D&T

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

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Quality of the curriculum in D&T

 Learning about D&T through links with other subjects is a strong feature. The management of D&T understanding and skills is well advanced, for example pupils are able to apply scientific principles such as force and momentum well when designing and making fairgrounds in Year 5. National Curriculum requirements are covered using national schemes linked to topic work.  Activities and programmes meet pupils’ needs and interest well using a good range of materials and equipment. The D&T curriculum promotes creativity very well and makes a significant contribution to the enjoyment of learning.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management in D&T

Leadership and management in D&T are good.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management in D&T

 The school’s evaluation of how well D&T is doing is accurate. There is a good capacity to maintain and improve provision and achievement. D&T is a valued part of school life and the purpose of the subject is fully understood. Design and technology continues to grow and develop because the vision to make sure all pupils achieve as well as they can is shared by you, the coordinator and all staff.

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of D&T to pupils and parents

The awareness and relevance of D&T to pupils and parents is good.

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of D&T to pupils and parents

 Pupils say they like making things that work. As one commented ‘D&T is about learning a lot and having fun at the same time’. Parents are involved and portfolios of D&T work are shared. They learn alongside the pupils in joint activities such as the ‘Inspire’ project and provide their expertise during design and make sessions. For example, a parent who is a milliner helped with a project on hats.

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Areas for improvement, which we discussed, include:

 analysing attainment and progress in more depth  making sure pupils are clear about the progress they are making in developing their D&T capability.

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Areas for improvement, which we discussed, include:

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

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Areas for improvement, which we discussed, include:

As I explained in my previous letter, a copy of this letter will be sent to your local authority and will be published on the Ofsted website. It will also be available to the team for your next institutional inspection.

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