Agenda item

To consider a report of the Executive Director Core Services and the Executive Director People (Item 5 attached) in respect of Barnsley Provisional Education Outcomes for 2017.

The following witnesses were welcomed to the meeting:

Nick Bowen, Executive Principal of Horizon Community College and Joint Chair of Barnsley Schools’ Alliance Board

Margaret Libreri, Service Director, Education, Early Start and Prevention, People Directorate

Gary Kelly, Head of Service-Barnsley Schools' Alliance, People Directorate

Councillor Tim Cheetham, Cabinet Member, People (Achieving Potential)

The item was introduced by the Service Director, Education, Early Start and Prevention.  Members were updated with regard to the provisional education outcomes for children and young people in Barnsley, broken down by pupil group, from assessments taken in 2017 together with an overview from the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) to Key Stage 5 (A-Level). 

It was highlighted that there is much to celebrate:

·         for children in EYFS, the gap between Barnsley and national results has narrowed

·         The percentage of KS2 achieving expected levels in reading writing and maths has increased from 53% to 59%

·         Progress for pupils between KS1 and KS2 are above the national average in writing and maths.

·         At KS4 the gap between Barnsley and national results is just 0.5% for the Attainment 8 measure, whilst 59.1% of Barnsley students achieve a grade 4 or above in both English and maths, which is above the national average of 58.5%. 

However, there are some areas for improvement, including outcomes for boys in EYFS, reading in EYFS, outcomes for disadvantaged students and those with special educational needs. 

Questions were asked and challenges were made in response to the report and introductory presentation, which included the following points:

·         A regional project and work with the Children and Young People’s Family Trust is ongoing to improve EYFS reading outcomes, as evidence suggests that children’s capacity to do well in reading is influenced by early cultural experiences before they even start school.  Programmes such as ‘Bookstart’ are in place to work with babies up to school age.

·         There is a need to identify those children at risk of developmental delay early.  Early Help is crucial.  Although 75% of 2 year olds take up the free educational offer, 25% don’t, which may be an indication of poverty and vulnerability.

·         Where poor outcomes are identified in an individual school, governance arrangements are reviewed and strengthened through intensive work between governors and the Barnsley Schools’ Alliance Board. 9/10 secondary schools had improved this year, with 6/10 now assessed as average or above.  It is possible to move from ‘special measures’ to producing above average outcomes in a short space of time.

·         Class sizes do not impact in KS1 as the Infant Class Size legislation limits classes to no more than 30, and 96% of pre-school provision is judged as ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’.

·         The 6 week summer break does not impact on learning, whereas children taking holidays in term time does have a negative impact.  The last two weeks of term before the summer break are now focused on doing work for September so that the last two weeks count and are not viewed as 'winding  down'.  Area Councils could consider commissioning summer activities which promote continued academic learning in addition to the usual physical activities.  A number of schools no longer have a ‘non-uniform’ day as evidence suggests this can be disruptive and affect the quality of work on those days. 

·         The reason for the ‘dip’ in performance when children move to secondary school remains unclear but is an area which the Barnsley Schools’ Alliance Board is exploring in detail.

·         A recent Ofsted inspection at Darton College was described as ‘brutal’ with very disappointing results.  Nonetheless, a robust school improvement action plan is being developed, with strengthened leadership and governance arrangements.  It is now almost impossible to achieve an ‘outstanding’ judgement under the new inspection regime and inconsistencies between inspectors were noted.  Nevertheless, Barnsley’s improvement journey is positive – Outwood Academy at Carlton has now achieved a ‘good’ judgement and is now in the top 10% of the country, with Horizon in the top 25%.

·         Barnsley has a high level of fixed term exclusions but this figure is gradually improving and work is underway with individual academies to address this.  Inclusion is a standing item on the Barnsley Schools’ Alliance Board agenda. 

RESOLVED that: 

(i)            Representatives be thanked for their attendance and contribution

(ii)          The report be noted

(iii)         Area Councils consider commissioning summer activities which promote continued academic learning in addition to the usual physical activities.