Please refer to the Ofsted report as it has some interesting observations about the department - the only considerations being:
- further contact with KS2
- to extend the use of singing in KS3
BEFORE THE INSPECTION Preparation!……….
- We prepared well - paperwork, exam stats etc
- An overview of our entire SOW was submitted
The following was prepared and left ready for scrutiny during the week:
- Scheme of Work
- Weekly lesson plans referenced to NC PoS and levels
- Pupil 'self assessment' forms were ready for scrutiny during the week,
- 'Upper' standard and 'lower' level pupil work (This was was requested for scrutiny - the school 'chose' pupils - all work was piled ready for the week - ex. books, folders scores CDs with examples of work etc etc).
- Year 9 work is largely 'online' and was
scrutinised thus.
In addition ……….
- A folder of concert programmes, CDs etc was submitted to show a complete picture of 'what we are'
During the inspection week!
Monday
The inspector made himself known to us Mon a.m. and concentrated on work scrutiny until lunch, with a short discussion over lunch (after attending a 'sectional' rehearsal by a peri). During Mon p.m. - observed a Yr 9 lesson in ICT and was very impressed with our use of ICT (Bond clips / composing etc) - subsequently saw more of this throughout the week ('excellent' graded lessons) - attended Concert Band after school.
During the rest of the week,
- He observed all year groups (almost two thirds of our timetable - although he also had another 'brief' in addition to music - citizenship) including VI form (although we were NOT included in the 'in depth' subject list).
- Throughout many questions were asked of the pupils
- He travelled around all 'practical' groups in lessons (even playing a drum on one occasion) - usually staying right through the double (though not always). He was particularly impressed (another excellent) with the Year 10 lesson on film music, where I used the smart board and the North by Northwest DVD (audio only track) - looking at cues and spotting - a great lesson!
- Across the week he saw most activities, - a little singing (see above!), lots of practical and performance etc.
- On Thursday pm he 'interviewed' some of my Year 7s as he was uncertain whether we could actually improve entry NC levels as much as we claimed, but decided we could (we have a very wide spread upon entry, but try to get to at least 4b by end of Year 7 - some of course a lot higher) …… and got pat on the back!
- Instrumental teaching was not 'officially' inspected, but odd lessons were seen and some discussion with peris growing from attendance at several rehearsals where peris were present.
- I prepared a folio of courses attended (both of us) and marking / examining experience and this avoided lots of 'personal' questions - much of this information (including peri qualifications etc) has now gone to make our new web site - well worth a look - it was Grahams 'performance management task!) - plus performance management sheets for myself, GDC and all of the peris (who I 'observed' the previous year (luckily).
Overall - an enjoyable week - we prepared well - paperwork, exam stats
etc - just make the inspector part of the lessons - I asked if he minded me 'including' him and he said OK - i.e. not a 'man in black' at the back - he was quite personable.