Issue - meetings

This report sets out the headlines of pupil performance in 2014 at ages 5, 7, 11, 16 and 18.

The Head of Education Improvement introduced this item to the Panel. She highlighted some key points from within the report.

She informed them that pupils in Key Stage 1, 2, and 4 continue to attain well and make good progress compared to other local authorities and national expectations on all measures.

She said that in the Early Years Foundation Stage there had been a significant improvement in the proportion of children who achieve and exceed national expectations. She added that the percentage of children who achieve a Good Level of Development improved significantly from 51% to 63% and this is above the national average of 60%.

Key Stage 1

Level 2b+

Overall pupils’ attainment at KS1 at the more secure L2b+ improved in reading by 1% and mathematics by 2% in line with the national average.  Attainment in writing dipped by 3% and this goes against the national trend of a 1% increase.  Attainment in reading and mathematics is above national and our statistical neighbours.  Writing is the same as national and 1% below statistical neighbours.

The performance of pupils eligible for FSM improved in all subject with the biggest improvement of 9% in reading.  The gaps narrowed in all subjects but remain high when compared to the national average with the biggest gap (23%) in writing.

Level 3+

The attainment of FSM increased in reading, writing and mathematics.  The gap in writing attainment closed the result of a 2% dip in writing for non FSM pupils. The gaps for FSM pupils have narrowed in all core subjects.

BME pupils’ attainment improved in all subjects and the gaps narrowed in reading and mathematics and increased in writing.

Key Stage 2 

Level 4+

Attainment at L4+ improved in reading, writing and mathematics and for combined reading, writing and mathematics. The proportion of pupils who achieved L4+ in reading, writing and mathematics combined improved by 4% higher than national (2%).  Overall attainment for combined L4+ in reading, writing and mathematics remains above the national average (80% compared to 79) for the third consecutive year.

Level 5+

Attainment at the higher L5+ improved and is above the national average in all subjects and for all groups with the exception of reading for pupils with SEN.  Higher attaining (L5+) pupils achieved 58% in reading, 36% in writing and 46% in mathematics.  26% achieved L5+ in combined reading, writing and mathematics. Overall performances at the higher level 5+ has improved and are at least in line with or above the national average.

Progress across Key Stage 1 to Key Stage 2

The proportion of pupils exceeding expectations improved in writing and mathematics and dipped in reading.  Overall performance is below the national average in all core subjects.

Boys’ outperformed the girls in mathematics and reading and the girls performed better in writing.

The proportion of pupils achieving 3 levels of progress improved in writing and mathematics but dipped in reading.

Key Stage 4

In September 2013, to address the significant increase in early entries, the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59