This is a matter for Ofsted. HM Chief Inspector, Christine Gilbert, has written to the hon. Member and a copy of her reply has been placed in the House Library.
Letter from Christine Gilbert, dated 17 May 2007:
Your recent parliamentary question has been passed to me, as Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector, for reply.
You asked, following our answer of 3 May 2007 on teaching methods, what categories of class assignment were recorded by Ofsted (a) before 2002-03 and (b) after 2002-03.
The information recorded by inspectors on classes observed during inspections has been outlined overleaf in Annex A. As requested, I have included information from 1993 to the present day.
A copy of this reply has been sent to Jim Knight MP, Minister of State for Schools, and will be placed in the Library of both Houses.
Annex A
Information recorded by inspectors on classes observed during inspections from 1993 to the present
1993-1996 Framework
Inspectors recorded the following information about each class observed:
1. Year group(s)
2. Subject taught
3. Number of pupils present and number on roll
4. The numbers of boys and girls present
5. The ability of the class, selecting from the following categories:
Upper
Middle
Lower
Mixed
6. Where relevant, the external accreditation towards which the class was working.
1996-1999 Framework
Inspectors recorded the following information about each class observed:
1. Year group(s)
2. Subject taught
3. Number of pupils present and number on roll
4. The composition of the class, or grouping, making use of the following categories:
Groups formed in class according to age
Mixed ability class with no grouping by ability
Groups within a mixed ability class formed on the basis of prior attainment
Setted class formed on the basis of prior attainment in the subject
Banded or streamed class formed on the basis of prior attainment in a range of subjects
Other form of organisation
5. Where relevant, the external accreditation, for example A-level or GCSE, towards which the class was working
6. The lesson type, making use of the following categories:
Whole class lesson
Group work
Individualised work
A mixture of the above types
Other type of activity
2000-2003 Framework (effective from January 2000)
Inspectors recorded the following information about each class observed:
1. Year group(s)
2. Subject taught
3. Number of pupils present and number on roll
4. The composition of the class, or grouping, making use of the following categories:
Mixed ability class, with no grouping by age or ability
Mixed ability class, with groups within the class formed by age of pupils
Mixed ability class, with groups within the class formed by prior attainment
Setted class formed on the basis of prior subject attainment
Banded or streamed class formed on the basis of prior attainment in a range of subjects
Other form of organisation
5. Where relevant, the external accreditation, for example A-level or GCSE, towards which the class was working
6. The lesson type, making use of the following categories:
Whole class lesson
Group work
Individual work
A mixture of any of the above three types
Any other form of activity
2003-2005 Framework
Inspectors recorded the following information about each class observed:
1. Year group(s)
2. Subject taught
3. Number of pupils present and number on roll
4. The composition of the class, or grouping, making use of the following categories:
Mixed ability class
An observation within a mixed ability class of an upper ability group
An observation within a mixed ability class of an average ability group
An observation within a mixed ability class of a lower ability group
A class setted or streamed by ability where the pupils were within the upper ability range within the school
A class setted or streamed by ability where the pupils were within the average ability range within the school
A class setted or streamed by ability where the pupils were within the lower ability range within the school
Other forms of organisation
5. Where relevant, the broad category of external accreditation towards which the class was working and whether the course was Level 1, 2 or 3.
Framework from September 2005
Inspectors record the following information about each class observed:
1. Year group(s)
2. Subject taught
3. Number of pupils present and number on roll
4. The composition of the class, or grouping, making use of the following categories:
Mixed ability class
Class setted or streamed by ability where the pupils are in the upper ability range within the school
Class setted or streamed by ability where the pupils are in the average ability range within the school
Class setted or streamed by ability where the pupils are in the lower ability range within the school
Other kinds of organisation
Whether the class is made up of boys, girls or is mixed gender