Agenda item - Value added measures in secondary schools

Report of the Executive Director of Children’s Services (copy attached)

RESOLVED –

1)    The Committee noted the report.

14.1    The Head of Standards & Achievement Education & Inclusion introduced and stated that the report explained value added scores, showed the current value added scores for secondary schools for 2014 – 2015 and outlined the new progress 8 measures that would come into effect from summer 2016.

14.2    Martin Jones noted that there was a significant difference with the performance of vulnerable children, including those who were entitled to free school meals and stated that improvement of these results should be prioritised. The Officer confirmed that this would be the main priority.

14.3    Councillor Brown explained that she believed schools working together would help improve results.

14.4    The Chair expressed that he hoped that forming partnerships with the schools would ensure more head teachers would come to future Children, Young People & Skills Committees and be accountable for results and Ofsted inspections. He noted that the Democratic Services Officer should keep a record when head teachers send their apologies.

14.5    Councillor Taylor requested a report come to a future Children Young People & Skills Committee regarding value added measure in primary schools. The Executive Director of Children’s Service stated that a report could come to a future Committee in Autumn 2016.

14.6    Councillor Miller noted that he hoped higher achieving children were not being disadvantaged when trying to reduce the achieving gap for vulnerable children. The Officer confirmed that they were not.

14.7    RESOLVED – That the Committee agreed to note the report.