Commentary

92. Whilst some pupils enter the school with well-developed art skills and knowledge overall standards are average on entry in Year 7. As a result of good teaching pupils achieve well and standards are above average by the end of Year 9. The standards for both boys and girls at GCSE have been maintained above the national average since the previous inspection. In 2004 GCSE standards were above average and achievement good. Girls did better than boys but overall pupils did not achieve as well as in their other subjects. Some of this is attributable to staff absence that disrupted learning for some groups.

93. Work seen during the inspection confirms good achievement by boys and girls and standards are above average. Pupils develop and broaden their skills across a range of media in two and three dimensions and some make good use of computers for research. Pupils are encouraged to develop their art vocabulary and some use this well to contribute in lessons, Well-structured tasks help lower attainers in particular to achieve. The use of lOT to create and develop images is a weaker aspect of pupils work.

94. Teaching and learning are good. In the best lessons ICT is used effectively for presentation and challenging questioning and discussion extends pupils thinking and learning. Teachers manage lessons very well and pupils develop positive and productive attitudes to their learning. Whilst practical skills are taught well through structured tasks this is sometimes at the expense of more expressive and independent work. There are too few opportunities for discussion that would further develop knowledge and understanding, particularly amongst the higher attainers. Resources apart from JOT are used well to support pupils’ learning and teaching assistants make a valuable contribution to lessons. Pupils with special educational needs are well supported and achieve well. Assessment of work is good and involves pupils in self-evaluation that helps them understand how to improve.

95. A new head of department has managed a period of transition and staff absence well and sustained good standards whilst developing an effective team of teachers. The head of department is a good role model and uses JOT well to support teaching. There has been good development of consistent assessment systems and self-evaluation. More challenging work is being introduced to ensure gifted and talented pupils are stretched. lOT resources have improved but there is still work to be done to support pupils’ learning. Areas for development are identified for implementation once improvements to accommodation are completed. Overall improvement since the previous inspection has been satisfactory.

Drama

Provision in drama is very good.

Main strengths and weaknesses

• Pupils achieve very well because well-established routines give them the security to take risks.

• The leadership and management of the department ensure consistently high expectations across all classes.
  

• Lessons and extra-curricular opportunities make a very good contribution to pupils’ personal development.

Commentary

96. Overall standards of attainment are well above average in Year 9 and Year 11. - This represents very good achievement in relation to the average skills in spoken English that pupils bring to the school. Pupils attained well above average standards in the 2004 GOSE examinations. They build quickly on their earlier attainment and achieve very well. By the end of Year 9 they collaborate very effectively, and can use a wide range of dramatic techniques to illustrate moral and social issues. Pupils know exactly what is expected of them. They listen to each other particularly well, and the mutual respect means that boys in particular can resist