Agenda item - Standards Report for 2017/18

Report of the Executive Director for Families, Children & Learning (copy attached).

Resolved: That the Committee –

1.    Noted the report and supported the focus across the City on improving outcomes for all children and young people, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

2.   Noted that there have been changes in the curriculum, assessment and benchmark measures for Key Stages 2 and 4 and for determining the performance of disadvantaged groups. This meant that there could be some difficulty in establishing trends when not comparing like with like.

65.1       The Committee considered the Standards Report – 2017/18 presented by Mark Storey, John McKey (Head of Patcham High School and Chair of Brighton and Hove Secondary School Partnership) and Mary Ellenger (Royal Pharmaceutical).

65.2       The report contained analysis of the End of Key Stage results for children and young people for the 2017 – 2018 academic year and explained the interventions implemented and planned in the future to address areas of under achievement.

65.3       Councillor Druitt enquired if other subjects were focused on besides reading, writing and maths.

65.4       The Member was informed that these were performances indicators only and other subjects were considered just as important.

65.5       Councillor Brown enquired if pupil premium funding was still in place for disadvantaged students.

65.6       The Member was informed that the scheme was still in place and that more work needed to be done to support these students. It was noted that early intervention was good and could result in improved attendance, which a major issue. Low level language skills have also been identified.

65.7       Ms Mortenson enquired if reduced funding had an impact on schools.

65.8       Ms Mortenson was informed that reduced funding was a major issue for all schools. Restructuring to reduce costs but maintain education for all students was difficult with the wellbeing of the students a top priority.

65.9       The Committee were informed by Jo Lyons – Assistant Director: Education & Skills, that data on individual schools could be provided upon request.

65.10   Councillor Wealls enquired what emphasis was given to languages.

65.11   The Member was informed that the Department for Education targets are being met with French, German, Spanish and Latin being taught. John McKey commented that he had over 40 students with language/communication issues and this appeared to be on the rise. Mark Storey stated that this was an issue for all schools in the city. Stats did also show that this fluctuated.

65.12   Councillor Taylor enquired on the progress of English Baccalaureate (EBacc).

65.13   The Member was informed that under some curriculums there were issues and the Ofsted framework was being challenged. Pinaki Ghoshal stated that the broad curriculum across the city helped with Ofsted. John McKey felt an emphasis on maths was needed along with more 6^th form opportunities across the city.

65.14   Councillor Druitt felt that the 3‘R’s were important and the other subjects, such as music, feed the main three subjects. A holistic view was best.

65.15   RESOLVED: That the committee noted:

1.     Noted the report and supported the focus across the City on improving outcomes for all children and young people, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

2. Noted that there have been changes in the curriculum, assessment and benchmark measures for Key Stages 2 and 4 and for determining the performance of disadvantaged groups. This meant that there could be some difficulty in establishing trends when not comparing like with like.