Agenda item

As detailed in the recommendations.

Councillor Bithell introduced the report on Provisional Learner Outcomes which summarised all key stages outcomes from the summer 2016 assessments.  It was noted that the data at Key Stage 4 was provision as it was based on external examinations with the information being verified on 18^th December 2016.

Foundation Phase

            Pupils were assessed at the age of seven with an expected outcome level of 5.  In 2016 the overall performance at the Foundation Phase Indicator in Flintshire was 86.9% which was a drop of 0.1% compared to the 2015 results.  Flintshire’s performance was above the GwE average of 86.2% but just below the Wales average of 87%.  Based on its Free School Meals profile, Flintshire was expected to be ranked 6^th or better compared with the other local authorities in Wales.

Key Stage 2

            Pupils were assessed at the age of eleven with an expected outcome level of 4.  In 2016 the overall performance at the Core Subject Indicator was 90.1% which was an improvement of 2.2% compared to the 2015 results.  Flintshire’s performance was above the GwE average of 88.8% and also above the Wales average of 88.6%.  Based on its Free School Meals profile, Flintshire was expected to be ranked 6^th or better compared with the other local authorities in Wales.

Key Stage 3

            Pupils were assessed at the age of fourteen with an expected outcome level of 5.  In 2016 the overall performance at the Core Subject Indicator was 88.4% which was an improvement of 1.3% compared to the 2015 results. Flintshire’s performance was above the GwE average of 87.8% and also above the Wales average of 85.9%.  Based on its Free School Meals profile, Flintshire was expected to be ranked 6^th or better compared with the other local authorities in Wales.

Key Stage 4

            Pupils were assessed at the age of sixteen by external examinations at GCSE (or BTEC equivalents).  The main indicator used to judge performance at all levels was the Level 2+ Indicator which meant that a pupil had achieved 5 GCSE grades A*-C, including English and Maths.  In 2016, Flintshire’s performance improved by 0.7% on 2015 to 61.3% which was above the GwE average of 60.1.

            Of the 12 mainstream secondary schools, 5 schools were within 1% of their final predictions but 7 were below.  A continued focus of the local authority and GwE would be continued to support schools to refine their target setting processes and pupil tracking systems to close the gap between projected and final performance.

            The Chief Officer (Education and Youth) said it was pleasing to see the progress made in the areas identified which had seen some of the schools in a red or amber category.  A pattern of maintaining good performance was evident in secondary schools however there was a clear challenge faced on Key Stage 4 pupils needing to obtain higher grades.  There was a School Performance Monitoring Group that worked with identified vulnerable schools in the Authority.

            Councillor Shotton said he was pleased to receive information on the positive pass rates detailed in the report.  However, he commented on the vast difference of percentages of achievements between different schools and asked where that comparable information could be found.  The Chief Officer explained that any schools who were projected to not meet the required targets were provided with intensive support.  On individual school data, that was available on the website www.mylocalschool.wales.gov.uk/

            Councillor Attridge concurred with the comments of Councillor Shotton, in particular the low results achieved in some of the Flintshire schools which he said was not acceptable and sought clarification that such schools were supported.  The Chief Officer provided assurance that schools were supported and once the Authority was confident that the school could operate without external support, that support was withdrawn.  The aim of the Authority was to achieve the best outcome for every learner in its care.  In response to a question from Councillor Kevin Jones, the Chief Officer explained that it was the aim to complete any intensive support provided to any school within a year.

            Councillor Shotton added that a vast majority of schools and students were attaining positive results however that could not be accurately reflected when based on an average.

RESOLVED:

(a)       That the outcomes of pupil assessments across all key stages be noted;

(b)       That the improvements in learner outcomes where they have been achieved be acknowledged; and

(c)        That Cabinet Member be aware of the aspects of learner outcomes that still require a clear focus from the Local Authority and GwE to secure further improvements and are aware of how schools will be targeted, challenged and supported to secure higher outcomes in 2017 and bring Flintshire closer in line with its expected positon in comparison to the other 22 Local Authorities based on its Free School Meals profile.