Agenda item

The committee will receive a report on pupil performance in public tests and examinations. The report provides an overview of pupil performance at the end of each key stage using the latest available data. It compares attainment in Wiltshire with national, south west and statistical neighbour performance and where possible performance trends are identified.

Members are asked to consider and comment on any observations regarding the report and the data.

Consideration was given to a report on pupil performance in public tests and examinations. The report provided an overview of pupil performance at the end of each key stage using the latest available data. It compared attainment in Wiltshire with national, south west and statistical neighbour performance and where possible performance trends were identified.

It was noted that at the end of the academic year 2016/17 the majority of pupils in Wiltshire were educated in high quality provision with 88% of pupils in good or outstanding schools.

There had been improvements and continuity of high outcomes for pupils on a number of indicators.  Rapid and sustained improvement in phonics had now resulted in Wiltshire being in line with comparators.  Results in Key Stage 4 continued to be high as were those for A level results in Key Stage 5.

However, there were some specific areas where improvements were required and these had become strategic priorities.  Outcomes in primary schools at Key Stages 1 and 2 had not kept pace with improvements elsewhere and Wiltshire was now below the national average.  In particular, Maths at Key Stages 1 and 2 continued to be a priority.

The outcomes for vulnerable groups and especially for Disadvantaged Pupils (pupils eligible for additional funding though the pupil premium), continued to be a priority as outcomes in Wiltshire still needed to be improved to match national figures and those of other pupils in the County at all Key stages.

Cllr Laura Mayes drew attention to the action plan at the end of the report.  It was noticed that there were plans to raise the overall standards and ensuring that school standards did not decline any further.  This would be achieved by:-

·                Monitoring school outcomes through the LASER process and the new annual performance assessments to identify and intervene early with underperforming schools.

·                Liaising with the Regional Schools Commissioner to challenge underperforming schools.

·                Increase the number of outstanding schools with a focus on developing leadership and high-quality teaching to improve outcomes particularly in  Key Stages 1 and 2 through liaising with teaching Schools Outstanding Teaching programmes.

·                Implement processes designed by the Education Transformation Board to support self-improving, self-sustaining schools in Wiltshire.

There were also plans to raise the achievements for Disadvantaged Learners particularly in Primary Maths.

During discussion, Members expressed the view that further detailed work needed to be undertaken to identify reasons for the sub national standards in Maths in Key Stages 1 and 2, although it was appreciated that work was already being carried out regarding this. It was also noted that Wiltshire was the fourth lowest funded local authority for children’s services.

Cllr Mayes noted that it would be useful to arrange a meeting with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Committee to discuss the future monitoring of school performance in Wiltshire.

Resolved:

(1)        To note the contents of the report.

(2)          To congratulate all learners in Wiltshire on the progress being made, recognising the efforts put in by children, and to thank teachers and officers for their continuing dedicated hard work.