70. Teaching and learning in Years 7 to 9 are good. This is the first year that the whole of the Key Stage 3 Strategy 1 has been implemented, and teachers are still becoming familiar with the materials. Students are encouraged to become independent learners by developing good practice in note taking in lessons and resources being made available by the teachers to support the individual learning needs of all pupils. In Years 10 and 11, teaching and learning are very good. Teachers’ expectations and effective systems of monitoring progress of those pupils following the GNVQ course results in all the pupils feeling challenged and producing work of a high and professional standard. All students were observed using ICT responsibly both in lessons and out of class. They are able to work independently, but also collaborate effectively and support each other when they encounter problems. There is a substantial programme of ICT activities during lunchtimes, after school and in the school holidays.

71. Leadership of the department is very good and management is good though a significant statutory requirement has been overlooked, The department has a small team of lOT teachers who have good subject expertise who work closely together and have a shared vision of how to continue to improve provision further. The team benefits from very good technical support.

72. Since the previous inspection there has been very good progress. There is increased availability of computer hardware and software. There is also greater access to ICT for both teaching and learning particularly in light of the new technologies available since the previous inspection five years ago. In addition the department has implemented the Key Stage 3 strategy for lOT and improved the links with primary feeder schools, which is further strengthening provision in Years 7 to 9.

Information and communication technology across the curriculum

73. Provision for ICT across the curriculum is very good. As a result of the technology college status and very good management of this development the school has very good resources with a secure infrastructure to support both the staff and pupils in their use of lOT for teaching and learning. The use of lOT to support teaching and learning in music, science and business studies is very good, and in other subjects good practice is developing. In art and design and mathematics the use is less well developed and has been identified as areas for future support by the school.

74. The school has carefully mapped lCT provision in all subjects and reviews this annually to ensure statutory coverage in Years 10 to 11 for all pupils. However, the school does not assess or report on the lOT capability of around half of the pupils in each year group who do not follow an examination course with a substantial lCT component.

75. A working party for lOT across the curriculum, which has representatives from all departments, has been effective in developing the use of lOT to support both teaching and learning with computers and in exploiting the new technology available in the school to improve achievement.

The Key Stage 3 National Strategy aims to raise standards by strengthening teaching and learning in all secondary schools for pupils in Years 7, 8 and 9. This National strategy now affects all subjects. It started with English and mathematics in 2001 and now includes science, information and communication technology and teaching and learning in the foundation subjects as well as ensuring that all subject departments contribute to the development of pupils’ understanding and skills in literacy and numeracy. For more information please go to the Government’s Department for Education and Skills web~site: ~vstandards.dfes.gov.uk/keystage3