H2U Vol 7 Issue 3 Jan 2008.pub - Highcliffe School

Poetry teaching at
Highcliffe praised
by Ofsted
Parents may not know but
Ofsted, in addition to its
headline-grabbing wholeschool
inspections, also
comes in to schools to look
at very specific issues. Below
is a segment
of a
press release
issued recently
by Ofsted
in relation
to a report
it published
on the
teaching of
poetry. We
are sure you
will find it of
great interest.
“Highcliffe School in Christchurch
has been judged
outstanding for its poetry
teaching and has been
highlighted for its good
practice in a new Ofsted
report published today.
The secondary school is
English
one of 86 schools surveyed
for a new Ofsted report on
poetry.
Inspectors praised in particular
the school’s ‘Bookies’
club. On the day it was visited
by inspectors a lunchtime
reading and poetry
session was
attended by
15 pupils
and four
adults.
They commented
that the
session was
marked by
an impressiveenthusiasm
for
poetry and was very evidently
enjoyed by all. Members
of the club read their
own poems and commented
on each others’ in a very
supportive manner. Inspectors
felt it was an excellent
way of getting pupils to
think about wider issues and
their contributions were
thoughtful and incisive, as
The Award-Winning Bookies
well as being well valued
by the adults present.
Judith Potts, Headteacher,
said:
“We are delighted that the
good work on poetry which
we value so much here at
Highcliffe has been recognised.
The importance we
attach to poetic expression
and appreciation is underlined
by the fact that we
publish a poetry anthology
each year which contains
an inclusive range of the
poetic creative work produced
by our students.”
Highlighting examples
where schools have succeeded
in enthusing and
engaging pupils in poetry
teaching, Ofsted’s report
evaluates the strengths
and shortcomings of poetry
in schools. It also reveals
that pupils often
have a limited experience
of classic poems and poems
from other cultures
and traditions.
Do you like reading and discussing the books you read?
Are you in Year 7, 8 or 9?
Then come and join us for fun and an informal chat in the library,
Wednesdays every week A at 1.45pm
Find out about exciting books to read, try different authors and,
now that we are part of the Carnegie shadowing scheme, post
your book reviews online.
Come along and join a winning team!!
Page 20 H2U, Vol 7 Issue 3 - January 2008