Menu
14/05/2004
School ICT resources now at 'record levels', says Ofsted
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) resources in schools are now at record levels and the competence of school staff in ICT has risen dramatically since 1997, according to a new report published today by the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted).
The report, 'ICT in schools: the impact of Government initiatives five years on', examined the impact the government's ICT strategy for schools has had since it was introduced in 1997. The strategy includes a number of initiatives designed to encourage the widespread use of ICT in teaching and learning.
Inspectors found that the combined impact of the government's initiatives for ICT in schools has been significant with resources in English schools "now comparing very well with other countries".
More than 90% of teachers observed were competent users of ICT. The incidence of effective application of ICT in lessons across subjects is increasing slowly but steadily. The impact of ICT on teaching was satisfactory or better in 77% of the schools visited, a slight improvement since the last report, the study found. The quality of teaching in lessons where ICT is used has also improved, with 59% of lessons rated good or better.
Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools, David Bell, said: "ICT resources in schools are now at record levels and comparing well with other countries. This is a great achievement that is reaping benefits for pupils and school staff.
"The positive impact of financial support from the government has been noticeable mainly in staff confidence, record resource levels and improvements in pupils' ICT capabilities."
Despite the overall positive picture, the report found that the government's aim that ICT should become embedded in the curriculum is "still only a reality in a small number of schools".
Pupils' ICT experiences across the curriculum are "sporadic and teacher-dependent" and in many schools opportunities to exploit the technology across all subjects are "lost on a daily basis".
Continuing professional development in ICT has also proved to be a cause of severe disappointment for schools and individual teachers. The National Lottery's New Opportunities Fund (NOF) programme of in-service training for teachers and school librarians was "over-ambitious" and did not take sufficient account of teachers' and schools' current needs. The need for competence with the technology drove the training rather than implications of the use of ICT for learning.
(gmcg)
The report, 'ICT in schools: the impact of Government initiatives five years on', examined the impact the government's ICT strategy for schools has had since it was introduced in 1997. The strategy includes a number of initiatives designed to encourage the widespread use of ICT in teaching and learning.
Inspectors found that the combined impact of the government's initiatives for ICT in schools has been significant with resources in English schools "now comparing very well with other countries".
More than 90% of teachers observed were competent users of ICT. The incidence of effective application of ICT in lessons across subjects is increasing slowly but steadily. The impact of ICT on teaching was satisfactory or better in 77% of the schools visited, a slight improvement since the last report, the study found. The quality of teaching in lessons where ICT is used has also improved, with 59% of lessons rated good or better.
Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Schools, David Bell, said: "ICT resources in schools are now at record levels and comparing well with other countries. This is a great achievement that is reaping benefits for pupils and school staff.
"The positive impact of financial support from the government has been noticeable mainly in staff confidence, record resource levels and improvements in pupils' ICT capabilities."
Despite the overall positive picture, the report found that the government's aim that ICT should become embedded in the curriculum is "still only a reality in a small number of schools".
Pupils' ICT experiences across the curriculum are "sporadic and teacher-dependent" and in many schools opportunities to exploit the technology across all subjects are "lost on a daily basis".
Continuing professional development in ICT has also proved to be a cause of severe disappointment for schools and individual teachers. The National Lottery's New Opportunities Fund (NOF) programme of in-service training for teachers and school librarians was "over-ambitious" and did not take sufficient account of teachers' and schools' current needs. The need for competence with the technology drove the training rather than implications of the use of ICT for learning.
(gmcg)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
09 November 2005
Public schools found guilty of fee fixing
Fifty of England’s top public schools have broken competition law by exchanging information about fees, the Office of Fair Trading has announced. Following an investigation lasting more than two years, the OFT found that pupils’ parents ended up paying higher fees as a result of the information-sharing.
Public schools found guilty of fee fixing
Fifty of England’s top public schools have broken competition law by exchanging information about fees, the Office of Fair Trading has announced. Following an investigation lasting more than two years, the OFT found that pupils’ parents ended up paying higher fees as a result of the information-sharing.
21 December 2011
Ofqual Orders Paper Re-Write
The exam regulator Ofqual has ordered the re-writing of an exam paper after it emerged some exam boards were offering pre-exam advice to teachers. The watchdog threatened further action after investigating the reports into exam boards saying it found a "clear breach" of rules at a WJEC exam board seminar about a GCSE ICT paper.
Ofqual Orders Paper Re-Write
The exam regulator Ofqual has ordered the re-writing of an exam paper after it emerged some exam boards were offering pre-exam advice to teachers. The watchdog threatened further action after investigating the reports into exam boards saying it found a "clear breach" of rules at a WJEC exam board seminar about a GCSE ICT paper.
05 December 2013
£1bn Towards Free School Meals
£1bn is being unlocked to fund the Department of Education's free school meals commitment. The news, announced by deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, follows an announcement in September that every child in reception, year 1 and year 2 in state-funded schools will receive a free school lunch.
£1bn Towards Free School Meals
£1bn is being unlocked to fund the Department of Education's free school meals commitment. The news, announced by deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg, follows an announcement in September that every child in reception, year 1 and year 2 in state-funded schools will receive a free school lunch.
02 October 2008
Free School Meals For Scots Primary School Pupils
All school pupils in primaries one to three in Scotland are to be entitled to free school meals following successful pilot schemes.
Free School Meals For Scots Primary School Pupils
All school pupils in primaries one to three in Scotland are to be entitled to free school meals following successful pilot schemes.
08 July 2010
'Growing Appetite' For School Lunches
The number of children eating school lunches in England has seen a significant rise, according to national figures released today. The number of pupils eating healthy food at school has seen the biggest year-on-year percentage point increase since the height of the school meals revolution.
'Growing Appetite' For School Lunches
The number of children eating school lunches in England has seen a significant rise, according to national figures released today. The number of pupils eating healthy food at school has seen the biggest year-on-year percentage point increase since the height of the school meals revolution.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
