An Ofsted report on English in schools, singles out Rawmarsh for its ongoing success in the subject, as compared to other schools across the country.

'English at the Crossroads' asks why English skills are improving at such a slow rate generally, with boys lagging behind girls from a young age.

A fresh approach to teaching at Rawmarsh seems to be key to the school's success.

Associate Headteacher Lesley Hutt said skill-sharing among staff is a main reason why they are able to find new ways to enthuse pupils.
At Rawmarsh, she said, they are bucking the national trend with boys' attainment catching up the girls as a result of lively, active lessons.

She added: "The school's high standards are a result of careful planning and a 'sharing and coaching' model of staff development that allows us to turn our good graduate recruits into outstanding teachers, as this report has clearly identified."

A recent example in active learning, she said, involved a Europe Day, when students tackled the art of persuasion in not just English, but a variety of languages; took part in role play; and designed European style menus.

More use of media skills, including film, television and animation, and graphic novels have interested boys in particular, added Mrs Hutt.

"We are not an easy school, in the sense that we have pupils from all kinds of backgrounds and it is a challenge to engage them all fully.

But if pupils enjoy learning then they will achieve," she said.

Rawmarsh Community School is also leading the way in Personal and Social Education – by upping the hours all students devote to the subject to 100 minutes every two weeks.

"These sessions cover everything from community issues to sexual relationships, or global politics, and with increased time, students will be able to work with many different people. We will have visitors but, for example, caretakers here on site may be able to advise on ecological issues, or admin staff on financial awareness.

"It's all about applying learning to real life," said the headteacher.
Key findings in the Ofsted report on English in schools were that:

• Standards in English have risen since 2004 but the rate of improvement is slow.


• Schools where achievement is high have subject leaders with strong vision and sense of direction.


• The gap in performance between girls and boys remains. Some minority ethnic groups achieve less well than others. Standards attained by white British boys entitled to free school meals are among the lowest.


• Enthusiastic teaching and the use of practical activities as a stimulus engages pupils and enables them to express their own ideas.