Agenda item

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Learning Services which set out the GCSE examination results for 2007 and how they compared to previous years, to the national average and to the results of statistical neighbours.

The Director of Learning Services reported on the key aspects of performance, as contained in the report.  These are:-

A. Overview

   i.      Performance at GCSE 5+A*-C across the LA rose for the fifth consecutive year

  ii.      Although the overall LA improvement was constrained by the unusually large number of students in Special schools, the average GCSE profile across the 16 comprehensive cohorts rose 3.3% on 2006

iii.      On the now critical 5+A*-C including English and Maths indicator, the LA average rose 1.5% against a national average increase of 0.9%

iv.      Performance at 5+A*-G including English and Maths also rose 1.5% against a national average improvement of 0.2%

  v.      10 of the 16 schools matched Fischer Family Trust “D” measures for progress from KS2-4 and/or KS3-4, ie progress equal to that of the top 25% of students nationally

vi.      Progress and achievement at 16+ by ethnic minority students is increasingly positive for both boys and girls

vii.      There was important improvement in key core subject departments in the Borough’s most vulnerable schools, notably in English

B. Priority areas for action 2007/8

   i.      The collaborative programme focussed on 5+A*-G performance led by the Headteacher of Wingfield CS has been sustained for a second year. In 2006/7 it produced significant improvement in the 4 lowest – performing schools

  ii.      A parallel initiative focussed on 5+A*-C incl English and Maths led by a Consultant Headteacher is promising significant impact in 2008

iii.      The culture of high expectations now pervasive across the secondary phase is exemplified in the aspirational targets set by schools for 2008 and 2009

iv.      Both schools under Notice to Improve have received positive monitoring visits from HMI and are on track to remove the Notice in the current year

C. Strategic focus of School Effectiveness Service

   i.      Targetted support for underachievement is coordinated across the School Effectiveness Service, Consultant Headteachers and the nominated three lead consultancy schools

  ii.      The School Improvement Partner (SIP) programme has sharpened school self-evaluation, increased school leadership capacity and toughened the focus on Standards and Achievement. Rotherham’s practice is judged to be Outstanding by the National Strategies

iii.      Programmes promoting the development of senior leadership capacity in the secondary Phase are an area of excellence receiving regional and national recognition

iv.      Core subject consultancy demonstrated significant impact in underperforming departments in 2007 and has been further reinforced

  v.      Partnership between schools andSES is unprecedentedly close, responsive and productive

The meeting discussed:-

-           Building Schools for the Future

-           Fischer Family Trust “D” measures

-           Best practice

-           Performance targets and their impact on children

-           The role of Examination Boards

Specific comments were made with regard to:-

-           a rise in standards of over 10% and an appreciable change in the last few years

-           percentage of BME pupils achieving 5-A*-G was higher than the percentage of WBRI pupils by 2.6% in 2007

Resolved:-  (1)  That the report be received.

(2)         That the improved levels of performance at the end of Key Stage 4 be noted.

(3)         That all schools be encouraged to continue to improve their results, and strive to achieve outcomes at least in line with the national rate of improvement.

(4)         That the Cabinet Member for Lifelong Learning endorse the drive to:

-           reduce the gap between Rotherham’s performance and the national average performance;

-           improve boys’ attainment

-           improve the attainment of black, minority ethnic (BME) pupils and

-           improve the attainment of Looked After Children (LAC)

(5)  That next year, in view of the complexity of the matter, consideration be given to the need for a “plain” English version of the report.

(6)  That an Elected Member Seminar be arranged next year.

(7)  That the report be submitted to Cabinet for consideration.