Issue - meetings

(Report of the Director of Children’s Service) – To present detailed analyses of the attainment data for 2005 at the end of Key Stages 1,2, 3 & 4 and Post 16

The Executive Member for Children’s Services gave a preamble to the report and commented that the number of GCSE grades A-C had risen by 17% over the past three years, compared to the national rise of 7%, and that the borough hoped to pass the national average by 2009. The Executive member wished to put on record his thanks to the staff in the Children’s Service and schools for their hard work in achieving these results.

The Deputy Director of the Children’s Service introduced the report by commenting that improvements had been achieved at all key stages, with key stages 2 and 3 improving above national rates. It was noted that attendance at schools had also improved and that due to the length of time for results to be passed back to the Council, a final report on the results will be ready by the end of February 2006.

The Committee discussed the report, and the issue of support for the transient population was raised. It was commented that the government had provided resources to help with this problem, and the Council was looking at a funding formula. The issue of discrepancies between the number of pupils taking compulsory exams in maths and English was raised, and it was commented that the figures reflected the number of pupils sitting the final exams. The issue of schools promoting a variety of subjects was discussed and it was noted that all choices were promoted at time of choice, including vocational subjects.

RESOLVED:

That the contents of the report be noted.