Agenda item

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 a pattern of low educational attainment and Nottingham is the 4^th most deprived local authority in the country;

(j)  progress is good, but it is vital to recruit and retain high quality teachers, particularly in core subjects. Nottingham City has established strong relationships with other local authorities where significant improvements have been made and carefully has carefully considered their methods and approaches;

(k)  every pupil’s performance is considered to understand patterns and where the underlying struggles occur so they can be focused upon. There has been a lot of investment in identifying the underlying issues and care is taken to target resources for the best outcomes;

(l)  academies are responsible for how they allocate pupil premium funding and whilst there has been an overall improvement in educational attainment across the board, it is still necessary to challenge academies and hold them to account where concerns are raised;

(m)  volunteers can be very valuable and whilst other similarly deprived areas such as in London can attract a wealth of volunteers to support learning, this is not so easily achieved in Nottingham;

(n)  literacy remains a focus and the success of the Dolly Parton Imagination Library reading scheme, which has been promoted by the City Council, has encouraged and inspired children to read more;

(o)  the City Council communicates with both of Nottingham’s local universities, but has limited authority when it comes to academies. Academies also need to be involved and prepared to share data, to enable universities to utilise that data to be able to suggest ways in which educational attainment can be improved. Becky Cameron, Engagement Lead at Nottingham Community Voluntary Services, offered to liaise with the Local Authority and her connections at the Universities to help strengthen existing relationships with a view to collaborative work to improve educational attainment;

(p)  the City Council already works effectively with leaders of the Fernwood School Academy Trust with regard to the school’s successful methods and approaches.

Committee members welcomed the progress to date and particularly the achievement of meeting and exceeding the national average for attendance, which had required a significant investment of time and effort, but which is now showing the results in raised progress and attainment levels.

When asked how the Committee could further support educational progress in the City, Alison Michalska, Corporate Director for Children and Adults, suggested that the promotion of the value of schools and education could receive greater positive emphasis, including how well the City’s schools are performing. There also needs to be ability to challenge where necessary on issues such as exclusion and the necessity to balance the impact on one child against the impact on the other children.

RESOLVED 

(1)  to note the Committee’s thanks to Nick Lee and Alison Michalska for their attendance and update;

(2)  for the Committee to encourage promotion of the continued improvement of Nottingham City Schools and the value of education.