Agenda item

Briefing Note of the Deputy Chief Executive (People)

Further to minute 60/16 the Scrutiny Board considered a briefing note and presentation of the Deputy Chief Executive (People) which provided an update for members on Coventry’s performance on the following:

•  Ofsted profile

•  Early Years Foundation Stage

•  Phonics and Key Stage 1

•  Key Stage 2

•  Key Stage 4

•  16-19 attainment

•  Post-16 participation in education, employment and training

Also detailed in the briefing note were headline achievement data for the following vulnerable groups (not yet validated):

•  Children Looked After (CLA)

•  Disadvantaged (previously referred to as Pupil Premium)

•  Special Educational Needs (SEN)

•  English as an Additional Language (EAL)

•  Ethnicity group – White British, Gypsy/Roma

The briefing noted that the Ofsted profile for primary schools in Coventry continued to rise and the profile for Secondary had improved since 2015.  Coventry had 100 per cent of pupils attending good or outstanding special schools.  The combined citywide profile continued to rise and was above national.

In conclusion the report noted that in 2017 there were some improvements to celebrate which included results at Key Stage 2, KS4 destinations and KS5 destinations and performance of some vulnerable groups.  A key overarching priority for 2017-18 was to continue to improve outcomes for all pupils so they were in line with or better than national.

The presentation focused on successes and key priorities including focusing on schools that were ‘coasting’ and ‘below the floor standard’ definitions were provided.  The system of national curriculum levels was no longer used by the government to report end of key stage assessment.  There was no ‘target’ for the amount of progress an individual pupil was expected to make.  Any amount of progress a pupil made contributed towards the school’s progress score.

The floor standard was the minimum standard for pupil attainment and / or progress that the government expected schools to meet.  In 2017, a school would be above the floor if:

·  at least 65% of pupils met the expected standard in English reading, English writing and mathematics; or

·  the school achieved sufficient progress scores in allthree subjects. At least -5 in English reading, -5 in mathematics and -7 in English writing

To be above the floor, the school needed to meet either the attainmentor all of the progress element.

Coasting schools are where, over time, pupils do not fulfil their potential.  The coasting definition was based on three years of data, using the same performance measures that underpin the floor standards. In line with regulations, in 2017a primary school falls within the coasting definition if based on revised data:

·  In 2015 fewer than 85% of pupils achieved level 4 in English reading, English writing and mathematics and below the national median percentage of pupils achieved expected progress in all of English reading, English writing and mathematics, and

·  In 2016 fewer than 85% of pupils achieve the expected standard at the end of primary schools and average progress made by pupils is less than -2.5 in English reading, -2.5 in mathematics or -3.5 in English writing, and

·  In 2017, fewer than 85% of pupils achieved the expected standard at the end of primary schools and average progress made by pupils was less than -2.5 in English reading, -2.5 in mathematics or -3.5 in English writing.

Officers reported challenges such as changes to the curriculum and assessments and gave historical context.  Officers also discussed collaborative ways of working and partnerships.

The Scrutiny Board praised the improvements achieved in Primary Schools.

The Scrutiny Board questioned officers on the following:

•  concerns with Key Stage 4 results

•  concerns about vulnerable groups particularly those with Special Educational Needs (SEN)

•  advice for parents about schools performance

•  retention of teaching staff

•  progress in schools targeted for additional support and the support offered

The Scrutiny Board requested that the link to the list of individual school performance be circulated and also the presentation slides be circulated to members of the Board.

RESOLVED that the Scrutiny Board

1.  Request an informal report back in 6 months on progress on unvalidated primary data. 

2.  Request information on the targeted support offered to three schools which showed progress against the floor standards.