Girls outshine boys in lessons

Inspectors have rated a community school as satisfactory, but said boys are still lagging behind girls when it comes to achievement.

Ofsted inspectors said pupils’ literacy skills at The Dukeries College, Ollerton, should also be improved.

A team of inspectors, led by Mr Alan Alder, visited the Dukeries College on January 16-17, just a week after the new principal, Mr Danny Smith, arrived at the school.

When it was last inspected in March 2004, inspectors pointed out then the need for boys’ attainment to be improved.

Mr Alder said Dukeries College was a satisfactory school, and was improving because its leadership and self-evaluation were good.

He said progress made by girls was good, but boys’ progress was satisfactory.

He said as boys moved up the school they tended not to be highly motivated, well enough organised, or have good enough study skills.

Mr Alder said standards at the end of year 11 remained lower than national standards, but there was clear evidence from the inspection that these were improving.

He said parents were supportive but some expressed concern about consultation and behaviour.

He said the 1,353 pupils’ behaviour was well-managed.

Mr Alder said most felt safe, and although some pupils were concerned about bullying, they said it was usually dealt with well.

He said pupils had a good understanding of healthy lifestyles and made a positive contribution to the community.

Mr Alder said computer skills were well developed but literacy skills were their weakest point.

Although the curriculum and activities were rated as good, Mr Alder said regular homework was not always completed, especially by boys.

He said the curriculum had been changed to give students more time to study literacy, but the effects were not yet apparent.

He said none of the teaching was inadequate, and some was outstanding.

The school’s sixth form was also rated as satisfactory. It said students’ personal development was good and their support of others was good.

Mr Alder said many helped teachers in the classroom, mentored younger pupils, and supported community ventures, such as an elderly day centre.

He said sixth-formers organised social events and fundraising activities on an impressive scale.

He said standards were broadly average and achievement satisfactory.

To improve, Mr Alder said the college needed to increase progress made by boys, and ensure there were high expectations by pupils and teachers.

Writing, speaking and listening skills needed improvement, and students with learning difficulties should receive a good amount of support.

Mr Smith said the college was setting out an ambitious programme of staff training and curriculum development designed to raise boys’ achievements to the same level as girls.

He said: “Since my arrival I have been very impressed by the overwhelmingly positive attitude of students and staff at the Dukeries.

“Raising the achievement of a number of our boys will make the statistical picture a truer representation of our achievements here.

“Our priority is to engage with all of our students, encourage their highest aspirations and provide the support they need to achieve those aspirations.”