Ofsted recommends best practice for boys
24 Jul 2008
An Ofsted report, looking at educational best practice for white boys from low-income backgrounds, has been issued this week.
Posed by models
The report surveyed 20 schools in England – including six primary and ten secondary – where white British boys from low-income backgrounds were performing better than their counterparts in other schools. Previous research has found a correlation between poverty and low educational achievement.
Successful schools, according to the report, have an ethos which treats staff and pupils with fairness, trust and respect, provide consistent support and monitoring, and realistic, challenging targets. Strategies are in place to encourage the full involvement of parents and carers, and a range of emotional and educational support is available including learning mentors. Boys views are taken into account and they set their own individual targets and review progress towards their goals. The schools also encourage flexibility in the curriculum, offering vocational or personal development elements.
Better progress was also found when teachers took account of the boys’ individual interests choosing, for example, texts in literacy activities which focused on action-packed narratives and had courageous characters who overcame challenges.
Good practice schools took the views of pupils into account when shaping curricular and extra-curricular activities according to the report. Children were encouraged to feel an accepted part of a ‘community’, taking part in performances, teams and external community groups. Boys’ self-esteem was built-up, and behaviour improved, through adventurous activities and outdoor pursuits, or drama workshops.
The full report can be downloaded from the Publications and Research section of the Ofsted website
