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 U Scott Headteacher Oaksey CofE Primary School The Street Oaksey Malmesbury SN16 9TG

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and communication technology (ICT)

Thank you for your hospitality and cooperation, and that of the staff and pupils, during my visit on 21 January 2010 to look at work in ICT.

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and communication technology (ICT)

As outlined in my initial letter, as well as looking at key areas of the subject, the visit had a particular focus on the use of ICT to support learning in other subjects.

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and communication technology (ICT)

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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and communication technology (ICT)

The evidence used to inform the judgements included: interviews with you, your ICT coordinator, chair of governors and Year 2 and Year 6 pupils; scrutiny of relevant documentation; analysis of pupils’ work; observation of Year 1/2 and Year 5/6 lessons; and a tour of the school, with a focus on ICT, given by two Year 5 pupils.

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and communication technology (ICT)

The overall effectiveness of ICT is good.

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Achievement in ICT

 Although the cohort of children in the Early Years Foundation Stage varies considerably from year to year, in number and ability, pupils generally enter school with ICT capabilities that are in line with expectations.  Pupils make good progress and, by Year 6, they leave with attainment above expectations.  Pupils make good gains in their learning. In the lessons observed, they were extremely eager to do well and support each other to overcome difficulties and tackle new challenges. Attitudes and behaviour in ICT lessons are outstanding.  By Year 6, pupils have a good understanding of the need to work safely and appropriately, when using the internet and social networking sites.  Pupils have a good understanding of how ICT supports their work in other subjects of the curriculum.

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Quality of teaching in ICT

 Good teaching results in pupils making good progress in lessons and over time.  The subject knowledge of teachers and teaching assistants is good.  Questions are used effectively to assess and develop pupils’ understanding of the tasks or the skills being learnt.  Good use is made of pupils’ ‘Learning journeys’. It helps pupils assess their progress in the lesson against the learning objective and to set their own personal challenges and targets.  Lessons are well planned and resourced and result in different groups of pupils, including those with special educational needs and/or disabilities and gifted and talented pupils, making equally good progress.

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Quality of the curriculum in ICT

The quality of the curriculum in ICT is good.

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Quality of the curriculum in ICT

 The programme of study for ICT is taught and planned for well. All aspects of the National Curriculum for ICT are covered.  The school’s radio station gives good support to a range of subjects and to pupils’ personal development. Pupils enjoy live broadcasts and podcasts.  Because of the small number of staff available to run extra-curricular activities, it is not possible to run an ICT club throughout the year. However, pupils have open access to computers at lunch time, to complete homework or to do research. In the past a robotics club has been held.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management in ICT

The effectiveness of the leadership and management in ICT is good.

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Effectiveness of leadership and management in ICT

 The leadership and management of ICT are having a good impact on the development of the subject.  In the past 18 months, there has been a rapid development of ICT, partly as a result of upgrading resources. This has had a good impact on teaching and learning and, as a result, attainment is rising.  Governors give good support for ICT. They monitor the subject well and have ensured that recent expenditures provide good value for money.  The virtual learning environment (VLE) to support pupils’ learning at home as well as at school, has still to be developed. However, you are aware of this and you are awaiting further guidance from the local authority.

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Subject issue: the use of ICT to support learning in other subjects

The use of ICT to support learning in other subjects is good.

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Subject issue: the use of ICT to support learning in other subjects

 ICT is having a good impact on raising attainment in other subjects. Good examples were observed of ICT being used to support English, mathematics, geography, art and history.  Good links are made between other subjects and ICT. Pupils recognise this as being helpful and it also makes subjects more interesting.

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Areas for improvement, which we discussed, include:

 developing the VLE to enable teachers, pupils and parents to access work and information from home to support work in school  extending the use of ‘Learning journeys’ to include more specific target- setting by teachers.

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Areas for improvement, which we discussed, include:

I hope these observations are useful as you continue to develop ICT 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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