Poetry teaching is found to be good or very good in around two thirds of schools according to a new Ofsted report
A new report published today has found that poetry teaching is at least satisfactory in all 86 schools visited and good or very good in around two thirds. However, the report also revealed that poetry was weaker than the other aspects of English inspected, suggesting that poetry remains an area for development in many of the schools surveyed.
Highlighting examples where schools have applied engaging approaches to teaching poetry, the report also includes examples of pupils’ poetry work.
Although the quality of poetry teaching varied greatly in the schools visited, most pupils enjoyed poetry. Teachers’ good use of engaging approaches increased enjoyment and the quality of pupils’ responses to poetry. The best schools worked with poets and encouraged pupils to contribute to competitions, local festivals and school reading groups to extend good quality work.
Good quality subject leadership was a significant factor in schools where poetry teaching was rated highly. They used poetry successfully across the curriculum.
However, the report also reveals that pupils often have a limited experience of classic poems and poems from other cultures and traditions, particularly in primary schools.