OFSTED example – secondary
The OFSTED report “English at the crossroads: an evaluation of English in primary and secondary schools, 2005/08” includes several examples of good practice and excellence in teaching and learning involving the use of video and audio materials.
Inspectors commented:
“The teaching of media, the moving image and ICT is closely integrated within English and mapped effectively to ensure continuity and progression of skills and understanding. A very broad range of units of work requires students to apply their skills and understanding through using media equipment and software. The Key Stage 3 curriculum involves exploring web pages and analysing television programmes, as well as studying Romeo and Juliet and reading traditional texts from the literary heritage.”
Subject teaching in a wide range of curriculum areas can also be supported by broadcast material. OFSTED’s report on “Geography: Learning to make a world of difference” illustrates how TV news can be used in a variety of ways to support learning in geography.
“Year 7 students watched a news item showing secondary school students in a London school being interviewed about whether they felt British and discussed what Britishness meant to them. Initial discussions reflected their immediate heritage but began to broaden to include grandparents and great grandparents. Perceptive points emerged: ‘You don’t have to be born here to be British’.”
The teacher skilfully linked the points being made to the diversity of places in the United Kingdom.”
(Material reproduced from OFSTED publications under the Open Government Licence.)