variety of presentation styles to get their message to an audience with maximum effect. Pupils with special educational needs are very well supported so that they too are confident to take a full part in all of the work.

97. Teaching and learning are very good. The teachers are effective in capturing the trust of the pupils who, in turn, show unusual maturity in tackling sensitive issues. Teachers use assessment well to support learning and pupils’ own evaluations of each others’ work are thoughtful and constructive. The teachers are skilful in exploiting group work to ensure that all pupils feel able to experiment and contribute their ideas. They ensure a very high work~rate throughout the lesson by manipulating the timing of activities very effectively

98. The department is very well led and managed and there has been good improvement since the previous inspection. Standards have improved significantly, and the high quality extra~ curricular opportunities have been maintained. The quality of teaching is consistent, and there is a clear focus on skills.

Media studies

99. One lesson of media studies was sampled where Year 11 pupils were identifying the intended audiences of a range of local radio broadcasts. Very good teaching founded on thorough preparation and high quality resources supported very good learning with a high level of commitment and a very good work rate. These pupils were achieving very well. Standards in GCSE examinations were well above average in 2004, the first year that students had been entered. Students were reflective, discerning and serious in their discussion of music and cultural influences. They find the work demanding, and say that it requires more originality than most of their other examination options.

Music

Provision in music is excellent.

Main strengths and weaknesses

• GCSE examination results were well above average in 2004.
  
• Outstanding subject knowledge and very high expectations are key characteristics of the very good teaching.
  
• Excellent leadership is the driving force behind a successful department.
  
• Pupils’ very positive attitudes and their very good behaviour help them to achieve very well throughout Years 7 to 11

Commentary

100. Standards of work by Year 9 pupils in 2004, and confirmed by work seen during the inspection, were well above average. This is an improvement on those reported at the previous inspection. Pupils in Year 7 have little musical knowledge when they arrive in school. Because of the systematic development of musical skills achievement of all pupils, including those with special educational needs or those who are gifted and talented is very good. Pupils have very good understanding of rhythm and can improvise and structure melodies to set chord patterns. Performance by Year 11 pupils in the 2004 GCSE examination was well above average. More pupils than in previous years attained the highest grades and achievement for all pupils is very good. There is no difference in the performance of boys and girls. Pupils know how to use harmony and instrumental colour in order to compose high quality pieces. They compose and play together confidently different lines of music combining