Decision details

Lancashire Key Stage 4 Recovery Plan

Decision status: Recommendations Approved

Is Key decision?: No

Decisions:

Paul Dyson-Knight, Senior Adviser Secondary and Post-16, presented a report on a recovery plan in relation to standards achieved by Lancashire children at the end of Key Stage 4.

 

It was reported that overall attainment in Lancashire was mostly in line with the national average, although Progress 8 scores were low.  The Committee noted that Lancashire standards remained above the national average for both genders in the English and Maths Basics measure.  At Grade 5+, figures were above the national average for Maths but below for English due to lower Literature scores; English Language had remained above the national average.

 

Due to relatively low entry rates for the full range of English Baccalaureate (EBacc) subjects, attainment at Grade 4+ and Grade 5+ had remained low over time.  The Attainment 8 score had been below the national average for 2017, reflecting low attainment in the EBacc and Open subjects, although these scores reflected curriculum choices.  However, Attainment 8 scores in English and Maths equalled the national average, along with the GCSE-only Open score.  Entry for GCSEs in Lancashire was higher than the national average, with lower entry for 'alternative' qualifications.

 

It was reported that too many schools were below the Progress 8 floor standard and too many met the coasting threshold, a measure which was soon to be discontinued.  The performance of disadvantaged pupils remained a key priority for development.

 

Details of the key strategic priorities in place were provided to the Committee, in addition to information on completed and ongoing actions related to the following:

 

·  Identified areas of focus;

·  Secondary Team Plan: School Service Guarantee Support actions;

·  Disadvantaged pupils;

·  Progress 8;

·  Floor standards;

·  Potential coasting schools;

·  Schools requiring Improvement.

 

It was reported that currently, 76% of Lancashire's secondary schools were judged to be good or better by Ofsted.  This was in line with the national average and above the North West average. 

 

The county council is continuing to support schools is working with governors to support the recruitment of appropriate Head Teachers into under performing schools, although it was noted that Head Teachers at 'good' schools are less likely to move to a school which 'required improvement' or was 'inadequate'.

 

The Committee was informed that attainment had fallen across all schools nationally, due to the new assessment measures introduced for GCSEs in 2017.

 

It was reported that the Schools Improvement Team were meeting with the Teaching Schools Alliance next week in relation to a primary/secondary literacy project.

 

Resolved:  That the Cabinet Committee on Performance Improvement note the report.

 

Date of decision: 27/06/2018

Decided at meeting: 27/06/2018 - Cabinet Committee on Performance Improvement

Accompanying Documents: