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)