Teachers of information and communication technology awoke to criticism this morning from Public Technology , following the publication of yesterday’s Ofsted’s annual report into the nation’s schools.

Public Technology reported: “Achievement for primary age pupils in information and communication technology (ICT) continues to improve, but it is still the subject where there is most under achievement.”

Although the Ofsted report notes that achievement in ICT compares unfavourably with other subjects, it is now considered good in half of all schools and only unsatisfactory in one school in ten. Starting from a marginally lower base, the report also says: “ICT is again the subject showing most improvement in schools when compared with their previous inspections.”

Other plusses include very positive attitudes throughout the primary age range and an improvement in teaching, especially at the foundation stage. The main area of weakness remained assessment.

Six years after the introduction of a national strategy on the teaching of ICT, Ofsted said the level of teaching competence was the best it had ever been, but expressed concern over discipline and the continuing difference in achievement between social classes.

Conclusion: “Could do better”.