Agenda item

The report responded to a request to provide a breakdown of results for SEND students and by ethnic groupings. The results for Key Stage 2 results had seen all groups perform well, with the exception of white British. Whilst black African students were below national averages, their Attainment 8 results (real results against predicted results) were relatively good.

SBC’s Education Department wished to note its thanks to local schools, who had maintained standards despite the change in assessment regime.

The Panel raised the following points in discussion:

·  The exact picture of how and why white British children were under performing would be very complex and required more research. It was being recognised as a national issue, although it had been a long term trend in Slough.

·  Previously, Pakistani and black Caribbean children (a definition since amended) had been identified as under performing demographics. However, these groups had now improved; could the measures to resolve this issue be translated for the current situation?

·  Local schools recognised the trends in achievement and were keen to resolve any relevant issues.

·  Any plans to improve the situation would need to remember that the situation for schools had changed in recent year. National strategies no longer applied, funding had been altered and academisation had changed schools’ relationships with local authorities.

·  In addition, the relatively recent resumption of responsibility for schools from Cambridge Education left SBC with less backdated data than may usually be the case. However, the school community was being approached to build up this intelligence and create the detailed information upon which future initiatives would be constructed.

·  Parental support and the value placed on education within the child’s life outside of school were also vital factors in academic attainment.

·  The School Improvement Team would also be employed to analyse the situation in depth.

·  In its role as champion for standards, SBC would be challenging schools to boost performance in all areas. The report on SBC’s resumption of responsibilities would emphasise this role; the support of Councillors through actions such as becoming school governors was also appreciated. The local culture of knowledge sharing between schools would also assist this.

·  SBC would need to consider the resourcing implications of any plans and priorities. A secondary school specialist had been appointed and a primary school specialist was currently being recruited. Meanwhile, SBC was working with the Slough Schools Alliance and hosting a meeting with key headteachers (chaired by the Head of Education) on a monthly basis.

·  The service being brought back in house had raised the level of priority and activity within SBC. SBC was also investigating other methods of support it could offer schools (e.g. clerking, HR function).

·  Partnerships between selective and non-selective schools were being established. Beechwood and Herschel had integrated on 1^st October 2016, whilst Upton Court was working on creating a similar arrangement with Foxborough School. Multi-Academy Trusts were having an increased impact on education and needed to be communicated to members. Staff were very much part of these shared arrangements; the possibility of positions being offered in future which involved teaching at both schools was being investigated.

·  Members were concerned that the statistics on the percentage of candidates achieving A* - C grades in GCSE English and Mathematics were not accurate. The Panel would receive an amended version.

Resolved:

1.  That a verbal update on an action plan be given on 19^th April 2017.

2.  That a costed action plan for schools be brought back before the Panel in 2017 – 18.

3.  That an item on the Beechwood and Herschel integration be taken in 2017 – 18.

4.  That a map of Multi-Academy Trusts in Slough be circulated to members.

5.  That an updated version of the statistics regarding A* - C grade GCSE English and Mathematics be circulated to the Panel.

6.  That case studies regarding white British students and improved academic outcomes be compiled and circulated to members.