Agenda item

This report provides the Panel with an overview of early-years & school education performance in the academic year 2022-23, including information on school attendance and exclusions.

Councillor Paul May, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services introduced the report to the Panel. He wished to draw their attention to two specific areas of results, Free School Meals and Key Stage 2, and the fact that B&NES was now seen as the worst in the country in these areas.

He said that it should be acknowledged that the overall performance of all schools is superb, but that this was an issue that we recognise that we continue to need to work on.

He stated that he welcomed the support that had been received from the St. John’s Foundation and that talks with the MATs and the Schools Standards Board were due to take place. He added that the DfE have developed an Area Plan in an attempt to promote greater engagement.

The Director for Education & Safeguarding addressed the Panel and said that it was important to understand the context of the education arrangements within B&NES and the role that the Local Authority can play now that 97% of our schools are academies.

He said that the Council still has a pivotal role to play and that officers would be taking part in the meeting with the Schools Standards Board tomorrow to discuss the DfE Area Plan. He added that their role was also to influence, challenge and support.

He encouraged Panel members to view the Strategic Evidence Base highlighted within the report to gain a further understanding of the demographic information.

He explained that officers from the Early Years team and Public Health were also present to help with any responses to questions.

He referred to the academic results for 2022/23 and said that they were broadly fantastic with only the Key Stage 2 results dropping below the national average. He added that results in Key Stage 4 and Key Stage 5 in terms of attainment and grades achieved were to be commended.

He stated that the quality of schools within B&NES was good and that this was reflected in the Ofsted ratings that have been achieved. He highlighted the following areas from the report to the Panel.

Early Years Foundation Stage

·  71% of children had a good level of development in B&NES. This is higher than both the South West (68%) and England (67%) values.

·  69% of children in B&NES were at the expected level for all 17 Early Learning Goals, higher than both the South West (67%) and England (66%) values.

Key Stage 1

·  63% of pupils in B&NES met the expected standard in Writing, higher than the South West (59%) and England (60%).

·  71% of pupils in B&NES met the expected standard in Reading, higher than the South West and England (both 68%).

·  74% of pupils in B&NES met the expected standard in Maths, higher than the South West (71%) and England (70%).

·  82% of pupils in B&NES met the expected standard in Science, higher than the South West (81%) and England (79%).

Key Stage 2

·  58% of pupils in B&NES reached the expected standard in Reading, Writing and Maths (RWM) combined, a decrease from 67% in 2018/19 and from 60% in 2021/22. This figure is slightly higher than the South West (57%) but slightly lower than England (60%) for the first time since 2015/16. [Note: one of the Government’s Levelling Up missions is for 90% of pupils across England to reach the expected standard in RWM by 2030].

·  8% of pupils in B&NES reached the higher standard in RWM combined, a decrease from 13% in 2018/19 but a slight increase from 7% in 2021/22. This figure is the same as England and slightly higher than the South West (7%).

·  The attainment gap in RWM combined between pupils identified as Disadvantaged and those who are not, was 36% in 2022/23, higher than the gap seen in 2021/22 (33%) and 2018/19 (31%). The percentage of disadvantaged pupils reaching the expected standard in RWM combined in 2022/23 remained lower in B&NES than England (30% compared to 44%). The percentage of non-disadvantaged pupils reaching the expected standard in RWM combined in the same period was similar in B&NES and England (66% and 67% respectively). This pattern is also consistent in the attainment gap between pupils eligible for FSM and those who are not. In 2022/23, for pupils eligible for FSM, B&NES is ranked the worst in the country.

Key Stage 4

·  In 2022/23, pupils in B&NES achieved a higher proportion of grades (9-5) in English and Maths (51%), compared to the South West (45%) and England (45%). This is higher than the 2018/19 (pre-pandemic) figure (46%), a pattern also seen regionally and nationally.

·  Similarly, pupils in B&NES achieved a higher proportion of grades (9-4) in English and Maths (72%), compared to the South West (65%) and England (65%). This is higher than the 2018/19 (pre-pandemic) figure (70%), a pattern also seen regionally and nationally. 

·  The average attainment 8 score in 2022/23 was higher in B&NES than the regional and national average (49.6 compared to 46.3 for England and 46.2 for the South West). This is slightly higher than the 2018/19 (pre-pandemic) average score (48.9), a pattern also seen regionally and nationally.

Key Stage 5

·  In 2022/23, the Average Point Score (APS) per student entered for at least one A/AS Level was 35.2 in B&NES, giving an average A level result of a grade B-. This is slightly higher than England (APS 34.0, average grade C+) and the South West (APS 33.9, average grade C+).

·  In 2022/23, the percentage of students achieving at least 2 A levels in B&NES was 90% compared with 86% nationally, and 88% in the South West.

·  In 2022/23, the percentage of students achieving grades AAB or better at A level in B&NES was 23% in B&NES, slightly higher than England (22%) and the South West (21%).

He said that the persistent gap for FSM pupils in Key Stage 2 needs to be addressed and he wanted to provide reassurance to the Panel that officers are committed to doing their best to reduce this figure.

Persistent School Absence

·  In Primary schools there has been a sharp increase in the proportion of pupils classed as persistent absentees in 2021/22 with 14.9% of B&NES pupils being classed as persistent absentees, double the proportion seen in 2018/19 of 7.5% (i.e. pre-pandemic).

·  This increase has also been seen regionally and nationally. However, B&NES remains lower than regional and national figures for persistent absenteeism in primary schools (2021/22: 17.7% England, 17.4% South West).

·  In Secondary schools there has also been a sharp increase in the proportion of pupils classed as persistent absentees with 27.3% of B&NES pupils classed as persistent absentees in 2021/22, nearly double the proportion seen pre-pandemic in 2018/19 (14.5%).

·  This increase has also been seen regionally and nationally. Persistent absenteeism in B&NES is now similar to the national rate (27.7%) and slightly lower than the South West rate (30.7%).

School Exclusions

·  During the 2021/22 academic year the rate of suspensions increased to 8.2% in B&NES, similar to the South West (8.0%) and higher than the England (6.9%) figures. These rates are higher than pre-pandemic figures (2018/19: B&NES 6.5%, England 5.4%, South West 6.5%).

·  During the 2021/22 academic year the rate of permanent exclusions decreased to 0.05% in B&NES, whereas nationally and regionally the rates increased to 0.08% and 0.09% respectively. This equates to 13 permanent exclusions in B&NES in 2021/22. This number has ranged from 4 permanent exclusions in 2007/8 to 31 in 2017/18.

He stated that the Council continues to deliver work to improve education outcomes for our Black and Ethnic Minority children and young people in B&NES by delivering the B&NES Race Equality Charter Mark.

He said that the Local Authority continues to support initiatives with the St John's Foundation across EYFS and KS2 through implementing our Language for Life Project, the Primary Empowerment Project, and our Improving Disadvantaged Educational Outcomes Project.

The Public Health Consultant addressed the Panel. She informed them that the Public Health Team were just beginning a project on a whole systems approach to improving the education attainment for disadvantaged pupils within B&NES. She said that the project would be looking at what the various Council departments and other sectors can do to help.

She explained that the project would commence with a comprehensive analysis of the data that is currently held and a literature review to assess both the risk factors and the protective factors.

She added that the systems of other Local Authorities would also be reviewed.

She said that a series of informal interviews and focus groups involving a number of stakeholders would be held, including young people themselves, representatives from Health partners and the 3^rd sector.

She stated that a project report, including key findings and recommendations would be produced at the conclusion of the project, in around four months’ time.

The Early Years Adviser addressed the Panel. She explained that following an unsuccessful funding bid to the DfE and the beginning of the Primary Empowerment Project with the St. John’s Foundation a decision was made to link some of the bid’s elements to that project.

She explained that this new part of the project was a collaborative piece of work between St. John’s, HCRG Speech & Language Therapy Services and the Early Years Service and become known as the Language for Life Project.

She stated that the project purchased a Speech & Language Toolkit to assist practitioners with guidance on how to step up or down individual cases. She added that St. John’s also funded a full time Speech & Language Therapist and that these arrangements had had a significant positive impact on this cohort of children.

She said that they have applied for an expansion of the project and that St. John’s had agreed to continue with its funding position over the next two years.

She added that an evidence base has been created to support the ongoing work and that it continues to make a large difference to the children we are working with.

She stated that it was important to keep our academies engaged and for them to perform cluster working and moderation together again, especially in terms of the Early Years Foundation Stage data.

Councillor Paul Crossley asked how the specific data for BME children was recorded as it appeared a little unclear as to which groups were performing better than others.

The Director for Education & Safeguarding replied that within the Strategic Evidence Base there was detailed information regarding that data. He added that there was ongoing work with schools regarding the Race Equality Charter Mark to focus on exclusions and the curriculum.

Councillor Liz Hardman began by saying it appeared that the Council by itself is quite ineffectual in what it can do and required the support of the Schools Standards Board. She said that it was disappointing to fall below the national average for Key Stage 2 and felt that we were failing those pupils.

She commented that she welcomed the projects from St. John’s and Public Health and hoped that they would make the necessary improvements. She asked what actions they are able to take as a Local Authority to address this problem.

She referred to the exclusion rate and stressed that she felt that this was a further area that required significant focus to help our children and young people gain better outcomes.

The Director for Education & Safeguarding replied that he welcomed the challenge and said they were doing more. He added that the figures in terms of exclusions were coming down and they have put in place additional resources in the form of an Inclusion Co-ordinator, with interviews due to take place for another similar position.

He added that from September 2024 they would be offering a SEND and Alternative Provision advice service. He said that over the years a number of previous services, such as the School Improvement Service had been removed from within the Council.

He said he didn’t feel that the Academy system was to blame as a number of the issues were also known when they were maintained schools. He added that a focus was needed and that the report from the Regional Director to the Schools Standards Board would stress the importance of improving figures for Key Stage 2 and the attainment gap.

The Public Health Consultant said that the work needs to be actions orientated and that the governance structure was important so that the people involved will own the actions that are put in place.

Kevin Burnett asked where the overall attainment for FSM pupils in Key Stage 2 placed them compared to the regional and national averages.

The Director for Education & Safeguarding replied that he would need to clarify that information with the Business Intelligence Team.

Kevin Burnett said that he acknowledged the reduction in resources now available to the Council. He asked for any further comment on behaviour in schools leading to mental health issues, suspension and exclusion and the lack of support available to schools.

The Director for Education & Safeguarding replied that he did not have a direct answer to those points, but said that the budgets are what they are. He said that the role of the Local Authority has become harder over the past three years as the numbers of children who require support has increased. He added that through the Safety Valve project they would be looking to provide a better offer.

The Early Years Adviser added that as well as funding for the service being an issue, staff turnover has had a massive impact on their levels of service delivery. She said that a training programme has been developed for staff to take part in.

Kevin Burnett asked if both the Local Authority and the Public Health team were working with the St. John’s Foundation.

The Public Health Consultant replied that they were both now working on an aligned project with the Foundation and would be using some of their already collected information as part of the project.

The Chair suggested that the Panel receives a report from the St. John’s Foundation at a future meeting to hear how their work is progressing.

Councillor Paul May said that he would be happy to approach them on behalf of the Panel.

Councillor Dave Harding referred to the matter of persistent absences from school due to infection and said that he felt that there has been less focus given to children in general regarding this. He said that he felt that a large number of children are encouraged to continue to attend school when ill.

He asked what can be done locally in terms of CO2 monitors and ventilation of school sites.

The Public Health Consultant replied that currently there is less Covid circulating within the community and there are less people becoming seriously ill from Covid-19 due to the effectiveness of the vaccine programme. She added that the Public Health team do work with the ICB to support communities to access the Covid-19 vaccine where they are eligible and under-represented in take-up.

She added that the Public Health team are actively trying to prevent and mitigate with regard to Covid-19, but as one of a number of respiratory infections, and said that the Government has also issued refreshed guidance on respiratory infections with Covid-19 part of that.

She said that if schools do have concerns that they can contact UKHSA and the Public Health team.

The Chair explained that the Panel were due to receive a report on Covid at its April meeting and posed whether some additional information relating to children & young people could be added into that report.

Councillor Joanna Wright referred to the Schools Standards Board meeting and asked what do officers hope to be able to achieve over the next year.

The Director for Education & Safeguarding replied that the Regional Schools Director would be presenting their Local Area Plan at a meeting tomorrow and that they are looking to learn as much as possible from all involved to improve the figures as outlined for FSM pupils in Key Stage 2 in terms of attainment and across school settings for exclusions.

He added that it would be difficult to say by how much the gap would be closed over the next year. He said that they wanted to be able to find out what plans / measures schools were putting in place and what levels of support were required. He stated that from April the SEND and AP advice service would be in place and that should hopefully act as a guide as to what work would be helpful.

He said that a number of the new Resource Spaces should come into use over the next year alongside the plans for the two new schools.

Councillor Joanna Wright said that she wanted to be assured that things are going to improve. She added that she felt that these issues were linked to housing and poverty and the need for this to be addressed for many families to then be able to allow their children to grow up in better and more stable environments.

The Director for Education & Safeguarding replied that he was in no doubt that the outcomes in relation to exclusions would improve over the next year as they already have some good data available and plans for further staff to be in place to assist with this. He added that the attainment gap was a real challenge and that a joined-up strategy is required involving many sectors.

Councillor Robin Moss asked if all children and young people that are entitled to Free School Meals were claiming them and if not, what action can be taken to address this.

He referred to the matter of education performance and said that issues surrounding Covid and the lockdown periods for schools were due to unroll over the years to come and that will be seen as an additional challenge to schools across all Local Authorities.

He stated that from most of the points raised so far there was a thread to the discussion in relation to housing or lack of it and said that many people will be staying in unsuitable homes because they cannot afford to move.

Councillor Paul May replied that the question relating to Free School Meals was raised at the recent Cabinet meeting and acknowledged that an answer was not fully able to be given and said that this would be followed up.

He added that the majority of children and young people in B&NES are served well by our local schools and it is recognised that there is the need to support our minorities as best we can within the system that is in place. He stated that there is a dedicated team of officers who are trying to make improvements and welcomed that they have gained DfE involvement in pursuit of finding a resolution.

The Early Years Adviser commented that in relation to outcomes after Covid the results for B&NES FSM pupils went up 3% in 2022 against a backdrop of an 8% reduction nationally and said that officers and schools had worked hard locally to achieve that.

Councillor Paul Crossley called for the Panel to receive a detailed report of the steps that are and will be taken to address the educational needs of our ethnic minority and FSM pupils.

The Panel agreed with this proposal.

Councillor Paul May replied that this information could be contained in the agenda item that would see the St. John’s Foundation attend a future meeting of the Panel and inform them of their ongoing work in more detail.

The Panel RESOLVED to:

(i)  Note our pupils' overall positive education performance in B&NES schools for the academic year 2022/23.

(ii)  Be assured that Local Authority Officers continue to collaborate strategically with schools and partners and the Regional Director's office to improve educational outcomes for all pupils in B&NES.

(iii)  Receive a detailed report of the steps that are and will be taken to address the educational needs of our ethnic minority and FSM pupils.