Standards in pupils' ICT skills good or better in half of primary schools
The inspectorate found that standards in ICT are good or excellent in half of the primary schools visited and that standards are generally better in the Foundation Phase than in key stage 2.
In most primary schools visited, pupils’ skills in using ICT to present information are good and nearly all pupils use ICT well to research information in different subjects.
In the majority of schools, ICT has had a positive impact on standards of literacy and in a few schools, pupils’ oracy, presentation, research and writing skills and their collaborative and thinking skills have improved significantly through the use of video-filming, animation and editing activities.
Ann Keane, Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Education and Training in Wales, says,
“In today’s society good ICT skills are more important than ever before. Children and teachers are motivated and excited to be teaching and learning these vital skills.
“We have seen some excellent examples of schools using innovative ways to develop children’s ICT skills. We know that this is having a positive impact on children’s literacy and numeracy skills – which we all know are among the main challenges facing education in Wales today. We also know that ICT can help to engage boys who are reluctant to read and write to help them to improve their reading and writing skills.
“But we also know that, despite some positive progress, there is still work to be done. Often the more able and talented are not being stretched enough and pupils in key stage 2 are not developing their data-handling or modelling skills well enough.
“Teachers also need more training so that they are more competent and confident to deliver the ICT programme to pupils of all ages and abilities.”
The inspectorate found that ICT has had a positive impact on teaching and learning but that the quality of teaching is better in the Foundation Phase than in key stage 2. Also, schools have not used the Skills Framework well enough to plan for progression in pupils’ ICT skills and they need to evaluate the impact of their schemes of work on pupils’ learning more rigorously.
Ms Keane continues,
“Effective planning, monitoring and assessment are vital to making sure that all pupils’ continue to develop their skills in this area.
“In the majority of schools, in spite of a positive impact on their literacy, many pupils are not making enough progress in ICT as a subject. Teachers need to assess pupils’ work against the National Curriculum levels at the end of key stage 2.
“Primary schools and secondary schools also need to work together to gain a common understanding of standards in ICT.”
The inspectorate has identified a number of areas for improvement and outlined a series of recommendations within the report for schools, local authorities and regional consortia and the Welsh Government.
The report recommends planning to introduce more portable technologies in schools such as tablet computers and portable phones, helping pupils who are more able and talented to reach their potential, disseminating best practice and supporting the development of Welsh-medium educational applications for portable devices.
The report also contains a number of best practice case studies which showcase how ICT is improving standards in literacy and numeracy as well as helping to reduce the poverty gap.
Notes to Editors:
About the report
- Estyn’s report ‘The impact of ICT on pupils’ learning in primary schools’ was commissioned by the Welsh Assembly Government and is available in full here.
- The evidence base of the report includes visits to five further education institutions, and five Welsh for adults language centres. The reporting inspector also met with staff at the National Union of Students.
Best practice case studies (throughout the report)
- Casllwchwr Primary School, Swansea
- Penybont Primary School, Bridgend
- St Julian’s, Newport
- Ysgol Cae Top, Gwynedd
- Ysgol Golwg y Cwm, Powys
- Ysgol Gynradd Llanrug, Gwynedd
About Estyn
Estyn is the Education and Training Inspectorate for Wales. Our aim is to achieve excellence for all in learning in Wales. We do this by providing an independent, high-quality inspection and advice service.
Our vision is to be recognised through the expertise of our staff as an authoritative voice on learning in Wales.
We are independent from, but funded by the Welsh Assembly Government (under Section 104 of the Government of Wales Act 1998).
For further information please visit our website www.estyn.gov.uk