Issue - meetings

Report of the Head of Legal and Governance

Nick Lee, Director of Education Services, was in attendance to update the Committee on the educational attainment of Nottingham city schools for the academic year 2017/18.

The following points were highlighted:

(a)  a range of academic data is created each year and covers different aspects from early years through to GCSE aged pupils;

(b)  all early years/foundation stage pupils are assessed with regard to how ready they are to start school education, and then later assessed on the progress made in social, personal and emotional development, language and communication, reading and writing.  There has been a steady rise year on year in this measure and whilst nationally 71.5% of children this age were considered ready to start school, Nottingham is only 3.9% lower than this national figure, which is positive when the low starting point of several years ago is considered;

(c)  since 2012, standards of intake pupils assessed have risen by 31% to 79%, whilst nationally there has been a 24% increase to 82%, with children in the city receiving free school meals achieving 2% higher than children receiving free school meals in other parts of the country;

(d)  Nottingham’s foundation stage pupils are at a noticeably lower standard of reading, writing, maths and English than the national average, but the gap is reducing and reduces significantly by the time children reach Key Stage 2, by which time progress in mathematics is particularly good;

(e)  Key Stage 2 pupils nationally ranked results are as follows:

(f)  changes have taken place with regard to GCSE examination marking so it is not possible to compare like with like of previous years’ exam results and the ‘Attainment 8’ measurement of GCSE qualifications;

(g)  school attendance has improved from a very low starting point several years ago and secondary school absence is now below the national average. Whilst primary school absence is slightly above the national average, once combined, absence rates meet the national standard.

The Committee’s questions were responded to as follows:

(h)  whilst progress in achievements have been made for looked after children, detailed statistics with finer detail regarding comparisons with other local authorities for the starting point and improvement of looked after and previously looked after children is not immediately available. This can be provided to the Committee following the meeting. Outcomes overall for looked after children continue to improve;

(i)  overall, gaps against national standards/achievement are narrowing as the educational standard of Nottingham’s children improves, but it should be noted that the City’s boundaries are tight compared with other cities and do not include many of the suburban areas where achievements may be higher. Historically, where there is deprivation, there is  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34