Agenda item

The report presented the statistics for attainment in 2014 – 15, although some results had yet to be validated. More analysis was being provided on issues such as results broken down by ethnic grouping, students in receipt of free school meals and other similar issues. The progress of local schools in terms of Ofsted inspections was also reported, with Ofsted now focusing more on classroom activity than in previous years; in particular, the movement of schools out of special measures was welcomed. In addition, all areas of achievement were at or above national averages in local primary schools.

The Panel raised the following points in discussion:

·  The gap for students with special educational needs in attainment was taken as their level of attainment as opposed to the overall average (e.g. 20% SEN students gaining 5 A* – C grade GCSEs, where the average was 70%, would be reported as a 50% gap). However, there could be issues with recording this accurately given the absence of standard categorisation of SEN across local authority areas.

·  The gap at KS4 for SEN pupils had been reported as falling by 2%; however, the previous and current level of gap had not been reported. This could be provided for the Panel.

·  Overall, future reports would be finessed to increase the level of analysis provided. Attainment in some key areas (e.g. 35% of early years pupils not achieving a ‘Good Level of Development’) needed attention, and improving the ability to interrogate information would assist in this.

·  Members also requested more information on Ofsted inspections. Issues such as recurrent themes or trends noted in inspections should be available through improved data analysis.

·  Issues such as local students who had arrived in the area with English as a second or other language was not used by Ofsted in compiling national data. However, it could be taken into account when undertaking an inspection.

·  The Panel also requested for a termly update on Ofsted inspections. In addition to these, a School Action Group report for any inspections by Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector (HMCI) under Section 8 of the Education Act 2005 should be included.

·  2 schools which were now ‘out of special measures’ were in this position as they had become sponsored schools. As a result, these were exempt from the Ofsted system for 18 months.

·  Beechwood School’s percentage of GCSE candidates with 5 A* - C grades (including mathematics and English) was just over 40%. Their mathematics department had experienced major staffing issues; this had been resolved in September 2015, but Christmas had seen further staff departures. Other schools were offering support to the institution to assist.

·  Information Technology had experienced a major shortage of teaching staff. In particular, the recent move to incorporate more coding skills in the curriculum had made recruitment difficult.

·  Research into the recruitment and retention of secondary teachers was ongoing and was investigating barriers to working in Slough as part of its remit. The preliminary findings had been completed and published, with the full findings available in approximately 3 – 4 months once interviews had been concluded. In particular, increasing Slough’s presence on social media to improve its profile was being investigated; meanwhile, SBC had discussed using key worker housing to improve the situation.

Resolved: that

1.  The first termly report on Ofsted inspections should be commissioned and added to the Panel’s agenda.

2.  The Chair would pursue SBC’s progress on using key worker housing to improve teacher recruitment and retention and report the findings to co-opted members.